By Jim Miller
Gray, Maine
Joh_15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. These words spoken to the Apostles by our Lord are still true today. Some folks have the idea that if they come to Christ and are obedient to his commands and saved through baptism for the remission of sins that everything is going to be easier and there will be no more strife.
The fact is that the Christian can have a peace in the knowledge that they are saved through Christs shed blood, yet this does not mean all will be fine and dandy afterward. There were those that hated Christ and His apostles and there will be those that hate you. When you turn from your sinful ways and turn to God and strive to do his will you will be attacked, scorned, made fun of and be hated by those who refuse to live in the right manner. This is when Satan will work his hardest to bring you back under his control. He doesn't need to sway those who do not care but to keep you he will use all the tools at his disposal to win you back.
Friends and even family will turn against you because you no longer want to live in sin as they do. You will be accused of having the better than you attitude because you no longer want to take part in sinful activities. This is why Jame wrote…. Jas 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Jas 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Jas 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
James warned us not to be tossed to and fro like the double minded man and went on to say Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Living a Christian life is far from easy but the reward is greater than anything you could ever dream of. Whether you are a newborn Christian or a battle hardened saint, Satan is going to use any and every means of pulling you back away from God and you must learn to overcome these things and stay faithful. People sometimes say nothing on earth is worth losing their soul over. This is a true statement, yet I wounder if some of them really mean it. I look around and see folks claiming to be Christians yet they refuse to worship properly or they allow others to sway them into accepting false doctrines. There are even those who have been members of the Lords church for many years that have turned from the truth back to fables.
This is why it is so very important that we stay in the word and put on the whole armor of God. 2Ti_2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2Ti 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Jesus said, Joh_14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. Folks this is not and easy task. Mat 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
I implore you stand on the words of God, teach them to others. Let not the things that others do or say sway you from the truth. Mat_16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Col_3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
