Text: Matthew 24:13 NKJV
Further Reading: Hebrews 12:1-10
But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Matthew 24:13 NKJV
MESSAGE
From our previous lesson, we saw that God has called saved souls to be enlisted in His army. Today we want to look at what it takes to be soldiers of Christ, and we will be talking about endurance. Endurance simply means being able to bear things that are difficult and naturally uncomfortable. It also means the ability to keep going even when there is little or no energy or motivation left.
In the case of the believer, we are told that we would suffer afflictions and persecutions, therefore we must endure hardness as good soldiers of Christ (2 Timothy 2:3). The Lord told the disciples that if He was hated and persecuted, so also will they be, but that they must keep going till the end.
And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
Matthew 10:22 NKJV
In Hebrews 12:2, the Bible says that we must take Christ as an example of endurance because even in the face of the brutal death of the cross, He kept going until the mission for the salvation of men is accomplished. He did not see the cross and turned back, but went ahead because the glory outway the suffering.
We must not forget that the Christian race is not a sprint but a marathon and only those who endure till the end will be saved. These are the very words of Christ calling us to keep contending earnestly for the faith that was once delivered unto us by the saints. There is no room for sickness but always as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, we must be ready to face whatever challenge that comes our way.
Never forget that the path which we take as believers is called the narrow way. It is not the easy way of pleasure, there may be broken bottles, snakes, deadly insects, and so on there, but the end is glory. Just as Jesus endured till the end and received the crown of glory, so also will we also.
Therefore, do not give up in the face of suffering and affliction, keep going forward and Christ will be glorified in you. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
I Peter 5:10 NKJV
REFLECTION
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:12 NKJV
God will not try beyond your endurance capacity. He will always make a way for you to escape and later share a great testimony.
PRAYER
Father, please give me the strength to endure till the end of my Christian race.
