Bible

Bible

Saturday, April 25, 2020

Keep Your Life in Perspective

“In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood” (Heb. 12:4).

Life is filled with a variety of experiences, some pleasant and good, others harsh and difficult. It is through those that are difficult which produce a stronger faith in us, even though none of us would choose to face such experiences. For these Christians addressed by the writer of Hebrews, they knew about hardships, that sometimes living the Christian life brought opposition. At first, their faith carried them through, even having to deal with the hostility sin could bring. They faced taunts and afflictions, the confiscation of their property, imprisonment, yet with joy (Heb. 10:34). They could do this because of how important the promise of eternal life was to them.

Later, the constant barrage of such trials started to wear them down. It became harder for them to keep their spiritual focus on the hope of eternal life, when the conditions of life were so hard. Instead of weakening under the pressure the forces of the world worked against them, they needed two positive attitudes to help them through such times. What could they do to renew their commitment of faith, and look beyond their trials to the awaited promise?

First, they needed to hang on to the confidence they had in God’s promises. The word confidence was originally used to reflect the courage it would take to speak openly in public, especially regarding those matters which might not be popular, but still needed to be heard. It came to mean holding fast one’s hope, knowing it’s based on what is real, guaranteed by the death and resurrection of Christ. It’s to exercise one’s faith because on whom it’s based, no matter what the external conditions of life may bring. We are confident because we know what God has in store for us, far greater than any struggle we are called to deal with.

In addition to this we should add endurance, staying with it, to bear with and put up with whatever life dishes out, no matter the measure or degree of what it is we are called to face. This term for endurance is especially associated with the things of life, circumstances and external pressures placed against us. It is also associated with hope (1 Thess. 1:3), and refers to that quality of character which does not allow one to surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial. Nothing of a physical nature should rob us of what we have waiting for us in heaven.

To allow life to beat us down where we shrink or draw back from living by faith, from allowing God to mold us so our faith grows stronger, was not what the Hebrew writer wanted for these Christians, or what God desires for us as well. Sin in the world will always produce trials and difficulties, suffering and pain. If we trust in Him, our faith can carry us through life, as God is in control and is working out His goal of salvation for us, the “preserving of our souls” (Heb. 10:29).

Whether in the first century, or the twenty-first century, Satan’s desires against Christians are the same, as is God’s work in and for us. When we are tempted to give in and despair of life, God offers a way to endure it (1 Cor. 10:13). God is the God of all grace, He calls us to His eternal glory in Christ, and strengths us to reach the goal (1 Pet. 5:10). Will we walk by faith? Will we remember what the goal in life is? Will we look beyond today to tomorrow? God offers us all we need, if we commit ourselves to Him. After all, none of us have yet resisted to the shedding of blood. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18).

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”

Robert

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