Don’t Lose Heart

 

“So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory” (Eph. 3:13).

 

When Paul wrote this letter to the church at Ephesus, he was under house arrest in Rome for the sake of the gospel. Paul wanted these Christians to understand he was not suffering for doing anything wrong on his part, as if he had been guilty of committing crimes against others. He pleads with them to realize this situation traced its roots to Satan. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12).

 

To see Paul in this situation, and not knowing what the outcome of his trial would be, some were losing heart, getting discouraged, losing their motivation in continuing a desirable pattern of conduct. Perhaps Paul had seen some of his fellow Christians become afraid in the face of what they perceived to be a great difficulty Paul was enduring. The reasoning could be, “What if this were to happen to me?” The very idea was causing some to be utterly spiritless, to be wearied out, and spiritually exhausted.

 

By contrast, Paul told them in Christ “we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him” (Eph. 3:12). His desire was for them to keep everything in its proper perspective. The devil only wants Christians to see what he interprets as negative, causing some to forget all the positive blessings God offers us through life’s trials. Living in a world dominated by sin, we will encounter difficult situations we have to deal with. No one can foresee what the future holds, but we know God is there to help us through whatever comes our way. Elsewhere Paul would say we should not lose heart. “Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:16-18).

 

Paul wants all Christians to realize everyone’s life will have ups and downs, good times and bad. This is not the real issue. What we should focus on is how our lives are being lived for what lies beyond today, for what eternity holds for us. Satan has messed up life here and now, and allowing sin its place in our hearts only makes matters worse. God, however, through Christ, is here to helps us through it all, and offer us what Satan wants to rob us of, eternal life. These Christians in Ephesus could be downcast at what Paul was going through, possibly asking themselves if living the Christian life is worth it, if this is what it would bring for them. As everyone’s life will have tribulation (John 6:33), the real question is will we be discouraged, wearied, and give up, or find strength in the Lord and live for what tomorrow brings?

 

Everyone one of us could tell stories of discouragement, of loss, of losing hope and desiring to give up. This is not the way to the victory that we have in Christ. We live by faith (1 John 5:4), and whatever life brings, our God goes with us. We can continue, endure, and persist in living the Christian life, no matter what situation we encounter in life. “God’s solid foundation stands firm, bearing this inscription: The Lord knows those who are his, and let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness” (2 Tim. 2:19).

 

What a great God we serve, and what a glorious Savior encourages us on through His shed blood. No matter what came Paul’s way, he would not give up, and did not want anyone who wore Christ’s name to either. Let us remember who we serve, and the strength He provides to overcome.

 

μαράνα θᾶ (1 Cor. 16:22)

Robert