| by Wayne Schatzle (West Chester, Ohio) |
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| Like everyone else I enjoy the beautiful autumn leaves as they turn colors. People flock to the mountains to witness the sometime breathtaking event each year. What I have come to appreciate more than the autumn leaves is the late winter leaves. Why is that you ask? For some reason after a long winter of icy cold and forceful winds a very few leaves manage to hang on the trees. They are dry and shriveled, yet still clinging to their life source. Why do I like seeing them? Nature teaches us many lessons and, in this case, inspires the observer that it is possible to hold on to the end regardless of the conditions. Jesus taught many times of the importance of enduring to the end, in fact it is only those who endure to the end the will be saved {Mt 10:22}. To the seven churches of Asia, each church was promised a reward only if they overcame their adversity {Rv 2&3}. A familiar story of Jacob receiving a blessing from God was a result of him hanging on all night during a wrestling match, in fact God was so impressed that He changed his name to Israel {prevailed with God} {Gen 32:28}. The letter to the Hebrews lists many notables from Biblical history that impressed God by their determination to follow at all costs. Many were not even named, yet says: “…others were tortured, mocked, scourged, imprisoned, slain and wandered about in animal skins, of whom the world is not worthy” {Heb 11}. Truly the way to salvation is a narrow, hard way to travel {Lk 13: 24}. Why would God not protect His people from such hardship? First Peter One reveals that trials test the faith of the saints. Adversity builds character more than material blessings ever could. In fact, Jesus made it clear that it is impossible for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God {Mt 19}. Jesus had offered a discipleship to a wealthy man- and he passed on it because of his riches {Mt 19:22}. In spite of the clear warnings- many professing Christians still hope for wealth in a lottery or other get-rich schemes. Why have modern churches not understood the concept that true followers of Jesus Christ will suffer in this life? Too many churches preach a health and wealth reward system and with little changes in living to those who accept Christ. While salvation is a simple acceptance of Jesus Christ for salvation, it is the step in a new direction, a direction that will be perilous at times and will require major life changes. The way of God is not the way of this world. As the world hated Jesus it will also hate those that follow Him {Jn 15:18}. Contrary to popular belief, Jesus is called the Prince of Peace, yet He says: “Think not that I came to bring peace on earth. I bring a sword, and a man’s foes will be those of his own household” {Mt 10:34}. God’s rewards are in heaven- not here, and He is not worried about our comfort {Mt 5:12}. We need to be standing firmly on the Rock so we will endure the storms of life {Lk 6:48}, and realize that Satan is enraged with God’s people, those that keep the commandments and the testimony of Christ {Rv 12:17}. We are in the last age of the church, a church described in Revelation as the lukewarm church, neither cold nor hot for the Faith. The question is still burning, “when the Son of Man returns, will he find Faith on earth?” {Lk 18:8}. “For you have need of endurance, so after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise {Heb 10:36}. |
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