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Monday, June 14,
2010
Endurance
Hebrews 12:1-3 Wherefore seeing we also
are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside
every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run
with patience the race that is set before us, (2) 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 is set down at the right hand
of the throne of God. (3) For consider him that endured such contradiction
of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (KJV)
Strong’s definition for ‘endured’:
5278
hupomeno (hoop-om-en'-o); from 5259 and 3306; to stay under
(behind), i.e. remain; figuratively, to undergo, i.e. bear (trials), have
fortitude, persevere: KJV-- abide, endure, (take) patient (-ly), suffer,
tarry behind.
You know, when you entered the Lord’s
realm and took your place in His body of believers you entered into a race
so to speak, an endurance race with a crown going to those that finish the
course. Just like with long distance runners, they face all kinds of
situations, weather conditions and such which can make some days harder
than others. The most important fact is this, it’s not those that start the
race that receive a crown, it’s those that finish the course that are the
winners. We have been given a Spiritual course, a path of life that was
mapped out for us to follow before the foundation of the world. So just
like with race courses, if one drops out or gets off course looking for
shortcuts they are disqualified and are not crowned at the end.
Matthew 24:11-13 And many false prophets
shall rise, and shall deceive many. (12) And because iniquity shall abound,
the love of many shall wax cold. (13) But he that shall endure unto the
end, the same shall be saved. (KJV)
Many feel good doctrines of man will only
show you the highlights of salvation, these bless me clubs will not endure
or hold up, but rather many of these people have already been blown off
course and are no longer enduring in the race of salvation. As you can see
the spiritual forecast is calling for a cold front to move in, which is a
reflection of the hearts of many who have grown cold to the reality of
salvation, and have replaced it with their own warm fuzzy belly rubbing
feel good doctrines. Our Lord is very specific throughout His word that you
not only have to enter this race to inherit eternal life, but just as
important, you must finish it also.
Mark 4:16-17 And these are they likewise
which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word,
immediately receive it with gladness; (17) And have no root in themselves,
and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution
ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. (KJV)
Oh how many get excited with exercise
programs, they envision a new healthy life and themselves no longer in
bondage to the flesh and its harmful desires. However, somewhere along the
road the euphoria wears off, the weather gets a bit tough, and they drop
out of the race. Church, this race is an eternal one, an endurance race,
and though at times it may seem tough you need to fight the good fight of
faith and continue to the end if you truly desire to be crowned by our
Lord. By staying in the Word daily it will renew your mind so that you can
follow someone who already ran this race and is now seated in the winner’s
circle; not with the whiners and the wannabes.
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