Newsletter of December 2007
In Jesus Name,
When we observe the different characters in the Holy Bible, both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, we can see that each one of them served the Lord faithfully, having but one goal set in front of them which was contentment and the praise of Him. They suffered all kinds of hardships but were able to fully achieve their duty. Thus they were qualified for eternal life.
This is what Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 9:24, according to the revelation of the Holy Ghost: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.”
The Lord Jesus suffered and was wounded. His sufferings reached the climax as He was crucified. And through His crucifixion, He provided redemption for the whole humanity. He showed Himself as an example of suffering and the first believers followed His example by enduring persecution in order to spread the message of salvation that the Lord has given to us.
The Apostle Paul mentioned in 2. Cor. 11:24-27 "From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness."
The
struggles that Apostle Paul experienced are nothing to be compared with
the great glory that will be revealed to him and also to us, if we suffer
as he said in Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of
this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which
shall be revealed in us. The Lord Jesus Himself said in Matthew
24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
We are still on our way, but the finishing line is near.
“So let us look unto the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”. Hebr. 12:2 For He is the example we must follow in order to receive the crown that has been prepared for us in heaven.
May God be with you. es
