Michael writes: The Secular humanistic world thinks that patience is a curse and not a blessing. The fallen world values instant gratification. However, according to Romans 5, you cannot know either hope or the love of God except by patiently enduring tribulation. Therefore, glory in tribulation, for tribulation works patience, and patience experience (proven character) and experience hope, and hope makes not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us. Patience is learned through the trial. Patience and steadfast love is the nature of God himself. His forbearance and perseverance will give us the ultimate victory because God is faithful to his word.
According to 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord inasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” The god of this world motivates people by fear…. the fear of loss is one of the greatest motivators. A wise man said, mankind fears death like children fear the dark. The fear of death is man’s the greatest fear. The Bible says, it is appointed for all men once to die and then comes the judgement. The devil comes not but to steal, kill and to destroy but Jesus Christ came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. The devil reminds us that we are worthy of death, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. The context of 1 Corinthians 15:58 is that through Jesus Christ and the sacrifice for sin He paid on our behalf, death shall be swallowed up in victory.
According to Romans 8, The Old Testament Mosaic Law is the law of sin and death (not to be confused with God’s Moral Law). However the law of the spirit of life in Christ has made us free from the law of sin and death. For what the Mosaic Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh that the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. According to Galatians 5:18-21, “But if you are led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft (which is Drug Abuse), hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, raveling, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
According to 1 John 2:16, “The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are not of the Father but of the world.” Lust is the Greek word “epythumia” meaning ‘over desire.” Lust is anything we desire over our love for God. We desire what we love. According to Proverbs 3:5-6, trust in the Lord and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
Let's continue Michael's message on steadfastness in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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