~by Ryan Vegh
In this life, it can be so easy to become discouraged trying to do what is right. We have our old sinful nature to put up with, and the devil and his minions, and other people--maybe even friends or family. Yet, as Christians, we have a blessed hope--a great joy that helps us endure our suffering without growing weary or losing heart.
Consider those who endured persecution for the cause of Christ; those who were tortured and stoned and insulted; those who were mocked and spit upon. Consider even Jesus, who endured the cross, condemned as a sinner for no wrong of His own. These were all able to endure their suffering because of the joy that would follow. As the apostle Peter says, "...rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." And as Paul says, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
Though hardships abound, God is using them for our good, refining us day by day to be more like His precious Son. "Endure hardships as discipline," it says in the book of Hebrews, "God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? ... No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness for those who have been trained by it."
"Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." God has already predestined us for glory, and "if God is for us, who can be against us?" God even gave up His own Son for us; "how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"
So, what should we be doing while we wait here in this evil world? We should be very careful how we live--"not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." Don't be foolish, but "understand what the Lord's will is." "Rejoice always, pray continually," "always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." And, "let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
In this life, it can be so easy to become discouraged trying to do what is right. We have our old sinful nature to put up with, and the devil and his minions, and other people--maybe even friends or family. Yet, as Christians, we have a blessed hope--a great joy that helps us endure our suffering without growing weary or losing heart.
Consider those who endured persecution for the cause of Christ; those who were tortured and stoned and insulted; those who were mocked and spit upon. Consider even Jesus, who endured the cross, condemned as a sinner for no wrong of His own. These were all able to endure their suffering because of the joy that would follow. As the apostle Peter says, "...rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." And as Paul says, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
Though hardships abound, God is using them for our good, refining us day by day to be more like His precious Son. "Endure hardships as discipline," it says in the book of Hebrews, "God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? ... No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness for those who have been trained by it."
"Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." God has already predestined us for glory, and "if God is for us, who can be against us?" God even gave up His own Son for us; "how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"
So, what should we be doing while we wait here in this evil world? We should be very careful how we live--"not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." Don't be foolish, but "understand what the Lord's will is." "Rejoice always, pray continually," "always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." And, "let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
No comments:
Post a Comment