Acts 14:22 (NIV)
22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to
remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter
the kingdom of God,” they said.
Perseverance is the badge of true saints. The Christian life
is not only a beginning in the ways of God, but also means continuing in
those ways as long as life lasts. It is with a Christian as it was with the
great Napoleon: He said, "Conquest has made me what I am, and conquest
must maintain me." So under God, dear believer in the Lord, conquest has
made you what you are, and conquest must sustain you. Your motto must be,
"Aim higher." The only true conqueror who shall be crowned in the end
is he who continues until war's trumpet is blown no more.
Perseverance is, therefore, the target of all our spiritual
enemies.
The world does not object to your being a
Christian for a time, if she can tempt you to quit your pilgrimage and settle
down to trade with her in Vanity Fair.
The flesh will seek to ensnare you and to prevent
your pressing on to glory. "Being a pilgrim is weary work and makes me
wonder: Am I always to be mortified? Am I never to be indulged? Can I not have
at least a holiday from this constant warfare?"
Satan will make many a fierce attack on your
perseverance; it will be the target for all his arrows. He will strive to
hinder you in service: He will insinuate that you are doing no good and
that you need to rest. He will endeavor to make you weary of suffering; he
will whisper, "Curse God, and die." Or he will attack your
steadfastness: "What is the good of being so zealous? Be quiet like the
rest; sleep as others do, and let your lamp go out like the foolish
virgins." Or he will assail your doctrinal sentiments: "Why do
you hold to these doctrinal creeds? Sensible men are getting more liberal; they
are removing the old landmarks: Fall in with the times."
So, Christian, wear your shield close to your armor and cry
earnestly to God, that by His Spirit you may endure to the end.
Thought for today:
Do I allow the enemy to deter me? Can I
stay the course no matter my circumstances?
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