In Matthew 5:11, Jesus encouraged his disciples. He said, “God blesses you when people mock you, persecute you, lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! … For a great reward awaits you in heaven.” If you have thin skin, you will always be an easy target. Endurance, not popularity, is the secret to long-term success. Paul endured desertion by his friends, ugly letters from the Corinthians, disappointment with the Galatians, mistreatment in Philippi, mocking in Athens, and beheading in Rome.
Through these persecutions he writes, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; act like men; be strong; (1 Corinthians 16:13)” Let us examine this verse more closely.
(1) “Be on your guard” --> The devil is out to get you. What is he after? Your value to God’s kingdom. Your life is a seed capable of producing a harvest for God in the earth, so protect yourself.
(2) “Stand firm in the faith” --> You cannot stand on your circumstances or other people’s opinions because those things constantly change. You can stand only on the Word of God.
(3) “Act like men” --> Immaturity will hurt you when the attack comes. The Bible says you must “[leave] the elementary…[and] press on to maturity” (Heb 6:1 NAS). If you are still making the same mistakes twenty-five years later, you are not learning enough.
(4) “Be strong” --> Weakness is an invitation to the Enemy. It always precedes surrender, and quitting is not an option. God told His people that the Promised Land belonged to them. However, they had to fight for it. Only those who were willing to fight got to enter it. The same goes for us.
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