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THE PATH OF ENDURANCE IS REWARDING
LORD’S DAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Hebrews 12:14-29
2 Timothy 2:3-5
 
“Thou therefore endure hardness,
as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
 
THE PATH OF ENDURANCE IS REWARDING
 
Endurance comes with a reward in the end. The response to the grace of God comes with peace and holiness. The root of bitterness and all rebellion is removed. The Law was frightening, but the grace of God in Jesus Christ opens a door of better hope. Endurance thus is obedience that brings great reward.
 
One step is to follow peace with all man as the writer exhorted. Every Christian knows that this is not always easy as we live among people controlled by carnal desires. Anger and frustration are the order of the day among the people who live after the flesh. Believers are to strive to bear a good testimony in this regard. The example of Christ as seen earlier is the best in building friendly relationship with others. This does not mean that everyone will love us, but our love is to be unconditional as the commandment teaches. In any community of Christians, it takes great endurance to meet this standard.
 
The writer again cited the Law and exhorted that we follow holiness for without it no man shall see God. This is freedom from sin. It is perfect purity or integrity of moral character, it is one of the essential attributes of God. A contrary character excludes one from the favour of God and he will not see heaven. The writer added that we must look diligently lest any fail of the grace of God, or “lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled” (Heb 12:15). He also exhorted his readers to avoid fornication and profanity, and not to be like Esau who for a single meal sold his birthright. This example explains the high cost of sin: it offers a little seemingly pleasant gain but its wages is always death. Everyone who yields to the temptation to sin knows the consequences, but the spirit of deception blinds them until they feel the pain of their deeds.
 
THOUGHT: Conversion is the beginning of a rewarding endurance.
PRAYER: Father, may I ever endure and never yield to temptation.

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