Hi all,
Perseverance!
The character quality which identifies a Christian is perseverance. Throughout
the New Testament we are encouraged to “endure to the end”. On the other hand
it’s clear that those who don’t endure to the end have nothing to look forward
to. In Revelation 2, the Lord Jesus Christ tells the church at Ephesus 11
"Those who have ears should listen to what the
Holy Spirit says to the churches. Those who
overcome will not be hurt at all by the second death.' Rev 2:11 NIrV
Logic
is not my strong point. But even my logic tells me that by implication “Those
who do not overcome will be hurt by the second death”. This may offend your
theology. However, we should be aware of what we can expect as a result of our
behaviour. Over-comers get rewarded. Under-goers (opposite of over-comers)
don’t.
It’s
very sad to record that I’ve known a number of people who have started well in
the Kingdom of God and are no longer serving Jesus. I wish this was not the
case. Indeed, I spent several years in the wilderness myself after committing
my life to Jesus. Will they be with the Lord after the second death? I would
love to say that they will. There’s a part of me that shudders at the prospect
of those whom we have met and loved over the past 50 years not being with us in
God’s Kingdom. But the Scripture tells us that only those who endure to the end
will be saved. How can I make it read something differently? I wish I could. I
hope I am wrong. I want to be wrong. The problem is it seems clear that my
understanding is correct.
There
are only two possibilities with respect to this understanding. If I am right
and you don’t believe it, you will have a major problem. The other is if I am
wrong. Then you have no problem. What I’m trying to encourage people to do is
to proceed on the assumption that I am right. That way you will have no
problem. You will have covered both possibilities and not be leaving anything
to chance.
Today’s
meditation is a call to endure; to stay with it. If we both do that, the
chances are excellent that we will be together in paradise. If not…..
Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland.
Stay with it
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My friends I
must encourage you to keep on keeping on.
Stand your ground and don’t hold back until your life has gone.
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The Master
will take care of you; that’s very, very plain.
You’re sure to be rewarded. Your labour’s not in vain.
Your labour
isn’t wasted. You may not see it now.
But when you
get to be with Him, you’ll see it all – and how!
My counsel’s
very easy. Be simple and be straight.
You’re grounded
on the Master. You aren’t left to your fate.
You needn’t change direction. Your roots are deep and strong.
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Your faith is
like a bulwark; and you’re not going wrong.
The challenge is to stay with it; that’s what the Lord requires.
You’ll surely
reap salvation; It’s what our Lord desires!
To find an
illustration, just think about good seed.
Under correct
conditions, they’ll sprout up like a weed.
But only at
the harvest, when there’s been time to grow.
You’ll garner
in the produce, of that which you did sow.
The same
applies to everything that’s done for God Most High.
It’s only
when your race is run, the harvest will apply.
You may not
see what’s happening, before the task is done.
That’s when
the Lord will tell you, “I’m pleased with you My son”.
So do all His
assignments; with joy cooperate.
Your faith
will be rewarded, when He has set the date.
Just do the
tasks He’s set for you, as long as it is light.
Do them while
you’re able, before the coming night.
Keep your
eyes on Jesus; He’s the illumination,
Of everything
that’s in this world; the author of salvation.
He’s sure to
bring you justice and see you reap a crop,
That nothing
in the universe can interrupt or stop.
Live only by
His Spirit; you will not reap decay.
Instead there’ll
be a blessing that man can’t take away.
Just seize
each opportunity that Jesus sends along.
And live to
be blessing; you will not get things wrong.
Jim Strickland – written 26 December 2011
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