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You're Not Promised An Easy Road

"...That Christians are seized, or laid hold on, when they are converted, by the power of Christ, to be employed in His service." - Barnes' Notes

Proverbs 20:6 tells us - "Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?"

Nowadays, we don't have any problem finding those who want to be in the limelight or who want to make a name for themselves. However, many are tempted to quit "when the going gets tough" or treacherous.

But, where, oh, where are the workers who are not disinclined or opposed to toil, sweat, and sacrifice their time and energy, while simply fulfilling their duty for their Lord and Savior, not looking for any rewards or accolades in return?
Where are those who are willing to "press onward" in the face of great loneliness, discouragement, pain, rejection, and utter humiliation?

To be counted "faithful" in the ranks of God's Endtime Laborers requires a certain mindset. Not every one has this godly inclination, but every one can possess it if they will simply yield themselves to and cooperate with the Holy Spirit and His Word.

In this message, we would like to examine a few Scriptures - depicting the faithful ministry of the Apostle Paul - and then glean some godly advice to follow in order to be assuredly numbered among the Faithful Ones in the end.

1. Make Your Duty To God Your Top Priority

Acts 20:24 - "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."

In order to be counted among God's Faithful, we must have a "holy contempt" for our lives and its many comforts. Our duty in fulfilling the will of God must be "counted" as top priority.

Any setbacks, misfortunes, afflictions, or sufferings for the Gospel's sake cannot "move," alarm, or deter us from our God-given purpose.

We must consider our lives as belonging to the Lord Jesus - to be used as He directs and leads.

Each of us has been allotted an appointed duty - assignment - to fulfill. The Apostle Paul termed it a "course." Never are we to be found idle. Nor are we to allow danger or even fear of death to deter us. We are to fully and entirely discharge our duties for the Gospel's sake, seeking to win God's approval in the end.

2. Recognize the Obstructions Along The Way

Galatians 5:7 - "Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?"

So many laborers started out in their "race" with great ardor, zeal, steadfastness, and constancy. They were genuine, active, and useful for the Lord. But someone or something came along and drove them back, hindered, checked, or retarded their progress. Resultantly, they found themselves no longer adhering to the Word or allowing it to govern their lives.

3. Don't Ever Allow Yourself To Grow Complacent

Philippians 3:12 - "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."

We cannot ever feel that "we have arrived." Satan would have us compare ourselves with those who are on a lower level, spiritually speaking, than ourselves, filling us with the deceitful feelings of pride and self-satisfaction. Resultantly, we then find ourselves neglecting to strive, pursue, or reach for more grace, blessings, or anointing on our lives.

Whenever the Devil tries to puff us up with our attainment of Spiritual Knowledge, immediately we must realize that there are depths and heights in God that we have not yet reached. There is knowledge and wisdom of which we have only just begun to "scratch the surface."

4. Always Emphasize The Scriptures

Philippians 2:16 - "Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain."

Sad to say, many Christians are quitting the "race" set before them. Many ministers are leaving the ministry.

What is the problem?

In most cases, it can be traced back to a failure on the part of the believer or preacher to "hold forth the word of life" either in their personal life or in their work for the Lord.

As Christians, we are under a God-given obligation to let others know through our godly lifestyles and holy conversation that the Word of God can and does change lives.
Isaiah 55:11 - As Ministers of the Gospel, our preaching should prove to the multitudes that the Scriptures will not "return...void" but will accomplish that for which they are sent.
Romans 1:16 - They are indeed the "Power of God unto salvation" to everyone who believes.
They, undoubtedly, do produce lasting results in the hearts and lives of the listeners.

5. Don't Look For The Easy Way Out

2 Timothy 4:7 - "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

We might as well face the facts. We are in "the battle" of our lives. We are running the most strenuous race with no let up in sight.

Hence, we must live our lives faithfully, steadily, and constantly before the Lord and others, striving at all times to follow the rules as outlined in the Bible so that we will not be disqualified.

Unfortunately, many today are turning back to the world.
They are defaulting in their allegiance to Jesus.
They are quitting and giving up.

Many are discovering that being found "faithful" to the Lord does not come easy.
Matthew 25:21 - Everyone wants to hear the welcoming words of the Lord Jesus into His eternal kingdom, saying - "Well done, thou good and faithful servant," but not all want to pay the price in order to win the prize.

God never promised us an easy way.
Hebrews 13:5 - But He did promise us that He would never leave us nor forsake us.
His Presence and His Mighty Grace would surely enable us to make it to the end.

Perhaps you need God to adjust or correct your thinking, concerning your walk with the Lord.
You may have been subjected to the teaching of those who distorted the Truth of God's Word by telling you that victory would be yours without contest or effort on your part.

May the Holy Spirit use this message to stir you up once again to persevere in the work of the Lord with a greater zeal than ever before.
May you never, ever think of quitting.
May you - like those who have gone before you - endure to the end and be saved.


May God Bless His Word.
Connie
 

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