Perseverance Comes From True Believers

BIBLE STUDY #630 – CHURCH INTHE HOUSES WEEK OF MARCH 23-29, 2010

Topic: “Perseverance Comes From True Believers” Matthew 10:22 Yesterday, I heard from certain members from a nearby church what is offered nowadays to men: “Come, we will pray for your finances, for your health, problems, etc.” They offer people a path of roses when we know that the Lord’s path is not wide and easy but narrow and difficult and full of thorns. Mathew 7:13,14 Mathew 10:16 says “ I send you like sheep among wolves.” Many men who surround us are like wolves. But, Jesus allowed us to see in Him honesty and sincerity. We should know what our devotion should be. The Lord tells us “I have a task, but it is the most horrible and difficult for you.” It is clear that the world and many churches speak differently seeking supporters or followers in another way. Let us understand what their intentions are with their tricks. Jesus offers forgiveness and eternal life, but with tribulation and death. This has been seen throughout history. Jesus was right when saying “I send you like sheep among wolves.” When one preaches it is not to attract people to something easy. Jesus taught us and teaches us to this day that in times of persecution those who persevere until the end show that they are the true believers. Matthew 10: 22 We know very well and we are joyful that salvation is a gift from the grace of God thru the faith in Jesus. Ephesians 2:8-9 It is not just to speak and yell offering prosperity, health, and so many other things, but to let know that salvation is only for those who persevere until the end. Jesus warned those in that time about the adversities that would come. He warned them that they would be persecuted by the state; they would be taken to the councils of the government, to the kings and governors for following Him. It is strange, but nowadays it seems to be contrary; the churches have come together to seek advantages from the government. Church leaders approach the governors to guide the life of the politicians; it is difficult to understand this. The politicians do not owe themselves to anyone. They try to unite the church with politics, but for someone truly righteous to unite with the unrighteous, we know that isn’t possible. It is impossible for us Christians to be part of politics, but since nowadays for many Christians everything is good or acceptable, after all we don’t know who is more crooked. Each one seeks their own interests. Philippians 2:21 says: “For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” Jesus said that the church would be pursued, just the same happens nowadays. But, we can see that many who attend church do not like to be admonished or disturbed. This is very different from Jesus’ warnings to his followers, that they would be battered in the synagogue. To follow Jesus implies to walk a path that is very narrow. Matthew 5:11 The church has always been the one to turn this world upside down. We drive the world crazy! Acts 17:6 that is why we have to support from people hatred, enmity from other churches, among others, when we bring the message of God. Our own family persues us and we know that they do not want to accept us as they are; they close their doors to our face because they despise us. “…a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.” Matthew 10:36 We have to choose because of this great reality between our loyalty towards Christ and our loyalty towards our own family and friends who do not think like us. They no longer speak to us like they did before; many do not understand the grimace, but we have to choose. I know of some of my relatives who turn their face when they see me, in this way they allow me to choose and my principle is my loyalty to the Lord that is what I have chosen. Therefore, it seems that there isn’t a promise of encouragement for us nowadays; things will not change until He comes for the second time. The state, the churches and even your family can conspire against you. So I cannot say it is easy, but those who persevere until the end will show they are true believers. Matthew 24:13 In Jesus’ times there were great lies concerning the believers, for such reason they were followed. One of those lies was to say that Christians were cannibals because of the Lord’s Supper, referring to the bread that was eaten, which symbolizes the body of Jesus. They were also accused of immorality because the name that was given to the weekly festivities of companionship was “agape”, a festivity of love. Of how many things they were accused! How many things can come against you today, but it will be like this until the end so that we can demonstrate that we are saved. You can ask yourself, what else can happen? What is the worst thing that can happen to me? I think that you can say: “Nothing seems strange to me anymore with everything that I have seen.” One of your loved ones leaves the Lord and you think that something big has happened to you. You see people divorcing and you become shocked, but all those who want to liberate their lives will have to persevere until the end to be saved. What do you hear? What disturbs you? What illness emerges to paralyze you? When? You should be clear, it is not those who talk a lot, it is not those who appear to be the greatest, but rather the ones who are and will be the true believers are those who demonstrate their perseverance until the end. The true believers show who they are after many years, not in one day or one moment, because anyone can impress you in a moment. There is nothing better than time to speak of our lives, it is not those who lie about us, it is time. That is why we will always give the best to God… and that is what we will do until the end. Amen.