Share on Facebook 159 Share on Twitter Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
Devotionals   

Persevere In Your Service Unto God

By       (Page 3 of 4 pages)   No comments

But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name." Acts 9: 15-16

 

Saul would become the great Apostle Paul and would indeed suffer for the name of the Lord. Within the suffering, Paul was made complete. The tasks that God had for him to accomplish in this life were all met. The race was run:

 

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2Timothy 4: 6-8

As he was nearing the end, Paul wrote to his prote'ge' Timothy and within his instructions, we find instructions for us as well:

Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1Timothy 4: 14-16

Discouragement often leads people to leave their ministry. To step back from that which they have been called to. But we must not neglect the gift God has given us. We must be diligent in the matters God has entrusted to us. We must give ourselves wholly to them. In order to save both ourselves and those who would listen to us, we must persevere in two areas our lives and our doctrine.

Persevering on our lives has to do with our outer witness to the world. People should be able to see Christ in us. Too often we can allow ourselves to become polluted by the world in how we live our lives. We can talk the talk but not walk the walk. We must be transparent. Remember to the world, the things of God are foolishness (1Corinthians 2: 14), so your words will mean little to them. The Bible will mean little to them. Your actions however that will mean everything to them. They are looking for a reason to believe or a reason to not believe. We may be the only chance they have to see Christ.

 

Perseverance in doctrine means that we do not waver or compromise in what we believe, as Paul explained to the Church at Corinth:

 

When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 1Corinthians 2: 1-2

 

Oh, that we would return to Christ and Christ crucified! In latter day western Christianity we have seen a contamination of the Gospel. Everything from sugar coated gospels to barbed wire gospels without room for the grace of God. No love in the Christ preached. We have seen gem stones and gold dust. The usurpation of the office of Apostle for self-promotion and the notion of prosperity being equated with greed. The Gospel message of Jesus Christ must remain undefiled and unchanged. We must persevere in our doctrine. We must remain confident in the calling we have regardless of the trial we are under:

 

Next Page  1  |  2  |  3  |  4

Rate It | View Ratings

Anthony Wade Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Credentialed Minister of the Gospel for the Assemblies of God. Owner and founder of 828 ministries. Vice President for Goodwill Industries. Always remember that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to (more...)
 
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

Joel Osteen Blasphemes "I Am" (55008 views)

Why I Have Left the Assemblies of God (38841 views)

Joyce Meyer Teaching the "Relationship over Religion" Heresy (19819 views)

Joyce Meyer -- A Prisoner of Heresy (17524 views)

Francis Chan Stands With Outright Heresy, Again (14581 views)

Bethel Teaches to Declare God is in a Good Mood and Other Insanities (14272 views)

Total Views: 160045

To View Comments or Join the Conversation: