We
Must Endure
2 Timothy 2:10-13 states, "Therefore I endure all
things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which
is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. This is a faithful saying: For if
we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure, We shall
also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If
we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself."
Some of us have been taken advantage of or tested in some way
this past week. Some of us even question how God could allow this
circumstance to be taking place. Doesn't God's Word say that He will
destroy the wicked and be our victory? Doesn't He promise that He will
provide for all of our needs? Doesn't He tell us to seek Him first and
everything else will be added unto us? Yes, His Word does say these
things... BUT it also says right here in 2 Timothy that we must ENDURE.
In the original Greek, this word for "endure"
can mean "to remain, to bear trials, to persevere, to abide, to be
patient, and to suffer." We need to remember to take our eyes OFF
the offenders and/or the world and to place our eyes ON those that need
salvation. This is the ultimate reason WHY WE MUST ENDURE.
Did you catch it in verse 10? We ENDURE
for the sake of the elect... that is those that will come to salvation.
Maybe we are the person who plants a seed in someone that will soon accept
Christ as their Savior. If that person doesn't see us endure
WHATEVER trial comes our way, then we will MISS the blessing of being a part of
that person's process to coming to Christ. If we don't ENDURE,
then what kind of faith is that???? The answer... It's not faith at all! Aren't
we glad Jesus endured when taken advantage of, when rejected, and when He
was finally killed?
Fellow servants, we ALL go through various trials. Let us
not complain so much when they come our way. Let us look around and find
someone to tell/show the love of Christ to EVEN in the midst of our trials.
Let us plant seeds in the hearts of those unbelievers that the Lord has
surrounded us with. Parents, let us exemplify to our children what a
faithful soldier of Christ does when the enemy attacks! Bear fruit that
will last! "You therefore MUST endure hardship as a good soldier of
Jesus Christ" (2 Tim. 2:3).
"Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil
attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly Kingdom. To God be the
glory forever and ever. Amen." 2 Timothy 4:18 (NLT)