v Standing
firm in faith. There are many “hina”
statements that stress the need for the church being built up in the matter of
faithfulness. Meditate on these.
o John
15:2: Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every
branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
o John
16:4: Concerning Jesus’ words warning His disciples of persecution that they
would experience, He told them these things I have told you, that
when the time comes, you may remember that I told you them. He was preparing them to be faithful through future,
difficult times.
o In
his own times of persecution, Paul told the Corinthians, we had the sentence
of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God
who raises the dead (2 Cor. 1:9). Then
he told them as to why he wrote the letter: that I might put
you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things (2:9). Later in the same letter we see two of the
most powerful passages on faithfulness through difficulty. But we have this treasure in earthen
vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us
(4:7). And later, He said to me, “My
grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in
my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me
(12:9). As you can see, 2 Corinthians
had a lot to say about faithfulness in trials.
o Ephesians
6:13: Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able
to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
o Philippians
1:27: Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that
whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you
stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the
gospel.
o Colossians
4:12: Epaphras was always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that
you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
o Paul
called attention to the things (prophecies) that had been made about Timothy,
at the time of his being set apart for ministry. The reminder was given that
by them you may wage the good warfare (1 Tim. 1:18).
o Heb.
3:13: Exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any
of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Heb. 4:11: Let us therefore be diligent to
enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of
disobedience. Heb. 12:3: For
consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest
you become weary and discouraged in your souls. All these are concerned with steadfastness in
affliction.
o 1
Peter 1:6-7: Peter tells us that our grievous trials are designed that
the genuineness of your faith … may be found to praise, honor and glory at the
revelation of Jesus Christ.
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