The Lord is the Author and Finisher of our
faith. He knows us personally; He knows what we need to change our hearts.
He is faithful to complete the work He starts with us on the day we give our
hearts to Him. We should be thankful that we are not as those who do not have
any hope. We are free to judge ourselves. However, we are not at liberty to
play God and judge others' hearts. By the God's grace He gives us the
ministry of warning them of the coming day of judgment and inviting them into
the kingdom of God.
For the time has come for judgment
to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the
end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now ‘If the righteous one is
scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?’ -- 1 Peter
4:17-18
There are different effects the enemy of
our soul can bring about in one's life. The enemy can oppress us and afflict
us spiritually, physically, or mentally. Backsliding is walking in direct
opposition to the Lord's known will for our lives. It is direct rebellion, and
God considers it as serious as the sin of witchcraft.
For rebellion is as the sin of
witchcraft; stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have
rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king.’ -- 1
Samuel 15:23.
The following verses warn us not
to take the Lord's sacrifice lightly. If we sin willfully after we have
received the knowledge of the truth, we can have a certain expectation of
chastisement. Yet our trials and tribulations will not last forever. The
Lord will return for us, and then we will be able to count them as pure joy,
for the rewards will be worth it all when we see Jesus. The scriptures give
us a few more reasons to hold on to the hope of the promise and His glorious
return:
For you have need of endurance, so
that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: ‘For
yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the
just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in
him.’ But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who
believe to the saving of the soul. -- Heb 10:36-39
The Lord is returning soon and
bringing our rewards with Him. For we must all appear before the judgment
seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body,
according to what he has done, whether good or bad. And as it is appointed
for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once
to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a
second time, apart from sin, for salvation. -- 2 Corinthians 5:10; -- Hebrews
9:27-28
Afflictions are often a blessing in
disguise to test the believers' hearts to see whether they will continue to
bless God or curse Him. God also uses afflictions to bring people to
repentance and cause them to call upon the Lord. The afflictions may be the
only way they will slow down and listen to the message of salvation. The
following scriptures reveal how God uses affliction to lead people to
salvation:
‘Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects;
therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. For He bruises, but
He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole. He shall deliver you in six
troubles, yes, in seven no evil shall touch you. In famine He shall redeem you
from death, and in war from the power of the sword. You shall be hidden from
the scourge of the tongue, and you shall not be afraid of destruction when it
comes. You shall laugh at destruction and famine, and you shall not be afraid
of the beasts of the earth. For you shall have a covenant with the stones of
the field, and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you. You shall
know that your tent is in peace; You shall visit your habitation and find
nothing amiss. You shall also know that your descendants shall be many, and
your offspring like the grass of the earth. You shall come to the grave at a
full age, as a sheaf of grain ripens in its season. Behold, this we have
searched out; it is true. Hear it, and know for yourself.’ -- Job 5:17-27
‘Look, I go forward, but He is not there, and
backward, but I cannot perceive Him; when He works on the left hand, I cannot
behold Him; when He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him. But He knows
the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. My
foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside. I
have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words
of His mouth more than my necessary food. -- Job 23:8-12
This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your
word has given me life. -- Psalms 119:50
Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now
I keep Your word. -- Psalms 119:67
It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes. -- Ps. 119:71
I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right,
And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. - Ps. 119:75
Unless Your law had been my delight, I would
then have perished in my affliction. -- Psalms 119:92
I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O LORD,
according to Your word. -- Psalms 119:107
Consider my affliction and deliver me, For I
do not forget Your law. -- Psalms 119:153
The Trials And Tribulations Are Worth It All
We are hard pressed on every side, yet not
crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken;
struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of
the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For
we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of
Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in
us, but life in you. But since we have the same spirit of faith, according to
what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and
therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise
us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your
sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to
abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our
outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For
our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things
which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are
seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we
know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building
from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we
groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from
heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we
who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be
unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.
Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us
the Spirit as a guarantee. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that
while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by
faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent
from the body and to be present with the Lord. Therefore we make it our aim,
whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear
before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done
in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. -- 2
Corinthians 4:8-5:10
The Chastening Of The Lord Ensures We Are As
Sons To Him
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by
so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin
which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is
set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who
for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who
endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and
discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving
against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to
sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged
when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the LORD loves He chastens, and
scourges every son whom He receives.’ If you endure chastening, God deals
with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then
you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who
corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in
subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days
chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be
partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the
present, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit
of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore strengthen
the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for
your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
-- Hebrews 12:1-13
We Have Examples Who Endured And Whose Prayers
Were Answered
My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in
the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we
count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and
seen the end intended by the Lord; that the Lord is very compassionate and
merciful. But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by
earth or with any other oath. But let your ‘Yes,’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’
‘No,’ lest you fall into judgment. Is anyone among you suffering? Let him
pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let
him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing
him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the
sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be
forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another,
that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man
avails much.
Elijah was a man with a nature like
ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on
the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven
gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. Brethren, if anyone among you
wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who
turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover
a multitude of sins. -- James 5:10-20
We Share The Sufferings In Life With The Lord
For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against
those who do evil.’ And who is he who will harm you if you become followers
of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you
are blessed. ‘And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.’ But
sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to
everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and
fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those
who revile your good conduct ‘in Christ’ may be ashamed. For it is better, if
it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For
Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might
bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,
-- 1 Peter 3:12-18
We Share In Christ's Sufferings Which In Part
May Be In The Divine Will Of God
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning
the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to
you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that
when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you
are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of
glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your
part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an
evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if anyone suffers
as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this
matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and
if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the
gospel of God? Now ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the
ungodly and the sinner appear?’ Therefore let those who suffer according to
the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful
Creator. -- 1 Peter 4:12-19
Our Lives Are Tested By The Lord
‘So you should know in your heart that as a
man chastens his son, so the LORD your God chastens you. ‘Therefore you shall
keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear
Him. -- Deu 8:5-6
The Refining Influence Of Affliction
‘Look, in this you are not righteous. I will
answer you, for God is greater than man. Why do you contend with Him? For He
does not give an accounting of any of His words. For God may speak in one
way, or in another, yet man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of
the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, while slumbering on their beds,
Then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction. In order to turn
man from his deed, and conceal pride from man, He keeps back his soul from
the Pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. ‘Man is also chastened
with pain on his bed, and with strong pain in many of his bones, So that his
life abhors bread, and his soul succulent food. His flesh wastes away from
sight, and his bones stick out which once were not seen. Yes, his soul draws
near the Pit, and his life to the executioners. ‘If there is a messenger for
him, a mediator, one among a thousand, to show man His uprightness, then He is
gracious to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down to the Pit; I have
found a ransom'; His flesh shall be young like a child's, He shall return to
the days of his youth. He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him, He
shall see His face with joy, for He restores to man His righteousness. And he
looks at men and says, 'I have sinned, and perverted what was right, and it
did not profit me.' He will redeem his soul from going down to the Pit, And
his life shall see the light. ‘Behold, God works all these things, twice, in
fact, three times with a man, To bring back his soul from the Pit, that he
may be enlightened with the light of life. -- Job 33:12-30
Oh, bless our God, you peoples! And make the
voice of His praise to be heard, Who keeps our soul among the living, And does
not allow our feet to be moved. For You, O God, have proved us; You have
refined us as silver is refined. -- Psalms 66:8-10
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a
living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an
inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved
in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for
salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice,
though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various
trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold
that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise,
honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus
Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet
believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the
end of your faith; the salvation of your souls. -1 Pet 1:3-9
PROMISES TO THE AFFLICTED
I will extol You, O LORD, for You have lifted
me up, And have not let my foes rejoice over me. O LORD my God, I cried out
to You, And You have healed me. O LORD, You have brought my soul up from the
grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing
praise to the LORD, You saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of
His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. -- Psalm 30:1-5
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But
the LORD delivers him out of them all. He guards all his bones; Not
one of them is broken. -- Psalms 34:19-20
Blessed is he who considers the poor; The LORD
will deliver him in time of trouble. The LORD will preserve him and keep him
alive, And he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the
will of his enemies. The LORD will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You
will sustain him on his sickbed. -- Psalms 41:1-3
Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will
deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.’ -- Psalms 50:15
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You
will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my
enemies, And Your right hand will save me. -- Psalms 138:7
‘Let not your heart be troubled; you believe
in God, believe also in Me. ‘In My Father's house are many mansions; if it
were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. -- John
14:1-2
Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone
loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come
to him and make Our home with him. ‘He who does not love Me does not keep My
words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.
-- John 14:23-24
THE END OF ALL SORROW
Then one of the elders answered, saying to me,
‘Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?’ And I
said to him, ‘Sir, you know.’ So he said to me, ‘These are the ones who come
out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in
the blood of the Lamb. ‘Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve
Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell
among them. ‘They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun
shall not strike them, nor any heat; ‘for the Lamb who is in the midst of the
throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God
will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ -- Rev. 7:13-17
This Corrupt World And Everything In It Will
Be Renewed
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for
the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more
sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven
from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud
voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He
will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be
with them and be their God. ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their
eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be
no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’ -- Revelations 21:1-4
THE LORD WILL DELIVER ALL WHO BELIEVE AND OBEY
He shall deliver you in six troubles, yes, in
seven no evil shall touch you. -- Job 5:19
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of
the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. -- Ps. 91:3
For You have delivered my soul from death, My
eyes from tears, And my feet from falling. - Ps. 116:8
‘Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, and all the
remnant of the house of Israel, who have been upheld by Me from birth, who
have been carried from the womb: even to your old age, I am He, and even to
gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry,
and will deliver you. -- Is. 46:3-4
No temptation has overtaken you except such as
is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted
beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of
escape, that you may be able to bear it. -- 1 Corinthians 10:13
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