THE NEED FOR ENCOURAGEMENT

Romans 14:19; Ephesians 4:29; 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14

One of the great needs that exist in the church today is that of encouragement. We need courage and confidence not complacency and cowardice in doing the will of God. Where there is faithlessness there exist the need for encouragement. Where there is faithfulness, encouragement is needed to continue to remain strong. In every aspect of the Christian's life, the need for encouragement is evident. To emphasize this, let's take a look at the word ENCOURAGE and allow each letter to begin a word showing it's significance and thereby hopefully we can be strengthen by this study.

E-VERYONE - As we live in this world with all its problems there is the need for encouragement. Because of our weaknesses we need to be encouraged. When we are strong we need encouragement. Paul said, "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" (Romans 14:19). The Hebrew writer emphasizes the indiviual responsibility to encourage and edify when he wrote, "But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin" (Hebrews 3:13). Then these words, "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:24-25).

This is something everyone is to be involved in. Everyone needs to be a recipient of the right kind of encouragement. It is certainly possible for one to receive the wrong kind of encouragement. When we are encouraged to stay in our sins, that is the wrong kind of encouragement. When we fail to practice the Truth in our lives we are encouraging disobedience. If we will not proclaim the Truth we are encouraging disobedience. We must not encourage others to continue in sin, but rather to come out of it. Therefore, we must practice and proclaim the Word of God (Matthew 5:16; Galatians 2:20; 2 Timothy 4:2-4). If one is not a child of God, encourage that person to obey God's plan of pardon, for that it is the only way for salvation to come about (Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:8-9; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 8:24; Luke 13:3; Matthew 10:32-33; Mark 16:16).

If one has become unfaithful to God, they need to receive encouragement to give up their way of life and return to God's way (James 5:19-20; Galatians 6:1-2). This demands they give up their sinful life by confessing their sins, repenting of them and praying to God for forgiveness (James 5:16; Acts 8:22). If one is discouraged, encourage them to look to God and His Word which is the greatest source of true encouragement and edification (Acts 20:32; Romans 8:28; Philippians 4:13). If one is "strong in the faith" encourage that person to continue to grow and become stronger in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10; 2 Peter 1:5-10).

Encourage the elders in their great work by listening to the Word, learning it and by living in harmony with it. It is a source of discouragement, when the elders see those in the flock who are not following the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. It is a source of great encouragement to the elders when we have respect for God and His Word. What about the deacons in the church, do they need encouragement? They are many times the forgotten ones in the congregation. Encourage them in their work for the Lord. Bible class teachers, preachers, in fact, all members of the church need encouragement. We want to hold up the hands of every faithful member of the church. Yes, EVERYONE is to be a recipient of encouragement.

Just as EVERYONE is to receive encouragement, EVERYONE is to render it. We all want it, but we sometimes forget to give it to others. Elders in the church are to be exhorters and encouragers. Paul declared in Titus 1:9 concerning the elders, "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." Preachers are to be exhorters and encouragers as Paul stated in 2 Timothy 4:2, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort will all long-suffering and doctrine." The responsiblity to exhort and encourage falls upon every Christian (Hebrews 3:13; 10:24-25; Romans 14:19; Ephesians 4:29). Let us strive to be a Barnabas (Acts 4:36), "The son of consolation" which simply means a person of exhortation and encouragement.

N-OW - Everyone is to render and receive encouragement NOW. The time to encourage is now. The Hebrew writer declared, "But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin" (Hebrews 3:13). Encouraging one another should be a part of our daily lives. There are burdens that need to be lifted NOW. There are the loads in life weighing heavy upon the hearts of many that we can help carry NOW. Those never having obeyed the Gospel need to be encouraged NOW to obey the Gospel (Acts 2:40). The unfaithful child of God needs encouragement NOW to come back to God (Acts 8:20-22; James 5:16). Those weak in the faith, indifferent, discouraged, need encouragement NOW.

How can we encourage NOW? Have you ever been discouraged and your spirit was lifted almost immediately? What brought about the change? Sometimes, someone simply expressed words of love and concern. And that's all that it took. The apostle Paul declared, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers" (Ephesians 4:29) Words are so powerful in changing peoples lives. The right words said at the right time can be such a great encouragement. To use right words means that our words must be governed by the Word of God. We have no right to say things or teach things contrary to God's Word just so someone can feel good. Words of compromise and commendation are not the kind of words that people in sin need to hear. They need to hear the Truth (1 Peter 4:11; John 8:32) so that they will be convicted of their sins and change their lives before it is too late.

Words of praise and commendation need to be uttered NOW to the faithful child of God. How encouraging it is to know that someone cares and is concerned for you. Love does edify (1 Corinthians 8:1). Let someone know that you are thinking about them and remembering them in your prayers. Sometimes all it takes to encourage in a good way is a "pat on the back". Just a phone call or a letter to someone NOW that needs encouragement, can mean so much.

There is no better source of encouragement than God and His Word. Notice the words found in Acts 20:32, "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified." We always in encouraging one another want to direct people to the Word of God. Encourage others NOW to read, study and meditate upon God's Word (1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 2:15; Psalms 1:1-2) and then submit to it in obedience.

C-OMMITTED TO THE LORD. Everyone needs to be encouraged now to be committed to the Lord. Commitment to the Lord is deciding to be more like the Lord in our attitudes and actions. It is saying, "Where He Leads Me I Will Follow". It is saying, "Not my will, but thine be done". The Lord himself declared, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul" (Matthew 16:24-26). The Lord must be first in our lives. Spiritual matters must be a priority in our lives. This is clearly taught by the Lord when he said, "But seek the first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33). In Matthew 6:24, He said, "No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

To be committed to the Lord means that we must first be converted. Where there is no conversion there is no commitment to the Lord. We cannot be committed to Him without first becoming a child of God, a Christian. Only by obeying His Word in submitting to His terms for forgiveness of sins, will there be conversion (Matthew 18:1-4; 13:19; 7:21-23; John 8:24; Luke 13:3; Matthew 10:32-33; Mark 16:16).

To be committed to the Lord is to comply with His commands. The Lord demands obedience from His followers (Matthew 6:24). Our commitment to the Lord must be without any reservations. We must not be reluctant to serve and follow him. It is not a matter of convenience. The Lord never said, "I want you to obey me if it is convenient for you". Our commitment to the Lord stems from "conviction" not "convenience". Where there is commitment to the Lord there will be a complying with His commands. Let's encourage each other now to be COMMITTED TO THE LORD!

O-VERCOME THE DEVIL. In 1 Peter 5:8, Peter said, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour." The Devil is our enemy and wants to destroy us. He wants to deceive us into thinking that obeying God is not important. He does not want us to become a child of God, a member of the Lord's church by obeying the Gospel in having faith, repenting of our sins, confessing Christ and being baptized (John 8:24; Acts 2:38; Matthew 10:32; Mark 16:16). He does not want us to remain faithful to God as members of the Lord's church.

We can and must obey the Gospel and live a faithful and dedicated life. The devil must be overcome. James declared, "Submit ourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). Let us NOW encourage EVERYONE to be COMMITTED TO THE LORD and OVERCOME THE DEVIL!

U-PHOLD THE WORD. In 1 Corinthians 16:13, Paul said, "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit ye like men, be strong." God's people must be encouraged to uphold the doctrine of Christ, the Truth (2 John 9-11). In our preaching God's Word must be upheld and proclaimed faithfully (2 Timothy 4:2-4; 1 Peter 4:11; Jude 3). The world needs to hear the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. As Paul declared, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of god unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith". It is not the words of man that saves but the Gospel of Christ. Therefore we must not twist, distort, alter, modify, pervert the saving Gospel (Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Peter 3:16; Revelation 22:18-19).

In our practice God's Word must be upheld. Paul said, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus..." (Colossians 3:17). Whatever we believe, teach and practice must be authorized by the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3). Our practice is not to be governed by our feelings, our opinions, the thinking of the majority, politicians, popularity, positions taken by schools or publications and neither the thinking of preachers, but by God's Word. As we examine our belief and practice in light of what the Bible teaches let us do so with the attitude of mind that we will change if the Bible demands it. If there is a conflict between our practice and what the Bible teaches, we must not try to change the Bible, we must change our practice.

In everything God's Word must always be upheld. Let us NOW, encourage EVERYONE to COMMIT TO THE LORD and OVERCOME THE DEVIL in UPHOLDING THE WORD OF GOD!

R-EVERE THE WORD. We need to encourage everyone to have respect for and be filled with reverence for God's Word. The Psalmist declared, "Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word" (Psalms 119:161). Just think what this world would be like if God's Word was revered. Just think how that our attitudes and actions would be improved if we had a respect for God's Word. The problem with mankind over the years has been a disrespect for God's Word that has led to a disbelief of God and His Word and disobedience to His Word. We must we proclaiming the need for everyone to revere and respect God's Word.

We must revere the Word of God because it has been PROVIDED by God. The Word of God did not originate with man. Paul declared, "All scripture is given by the inspiration of God..." (2 Timothy 3:16). In 2 Peter 1:20-21 Peter said, "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." These verses are sometimes used to try to prove that it is wrong to interpret the Scriptures. This is a mishandling of these verses. In these verses Peter is not talking about what we should do with the Scriptures after we have them, but, he is pointing out the source, that is, how the Scriptures came about. Since the Scriptures came from God, we must have reverence for them.

We must revere the Word of God because it is PROFITABLE. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). Too many look upon the Word as being outdated. Many say that we need something other than the Bible to guide and direct us today. In 2 Peter 1:3, Peter said that God "hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness". God's Word is profitable, so, have respect for it.

We must revere the Word of God because it is POWERFUL. Paul speaking to Timothy said, "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:15). The word "able" used by Paul in this verse has reference to "power or powerful". The Hebrew writer declared, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). Paul said, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16). There is power in God's Word to convict man of sin (Acts 2:36-38); to cleanse man of sin (John 15:3); and to convert (Psalms 19:7). God's Word does have power to change our lives if we will believe and obey what it says (John 3:5; Matthew 7:21; John 8:24; Luke 13:3; Matthew 10:32-33; Mark 16:16). Since God's Word is powerful then we must revere it.

We must revere the Word of God because it is to be PREACHED. In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul said, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine." We must proclaim the Truth and do so in love (Ephesians 4:15). We must always speak "as the oracles of God" (1 Peter 4:11). As we declare the "Truth" and nothing but the "Truth" we are demonstrating our reverence for God's Word.

If we revere God's Word then we will spend time in READING it. We need to "give attendance to reading" (1 Timothy 4:13). Paul say that we are to "Study to show thyself approved unto God" (2 Timothy 2:15). Not only must we read the Word with reverence but also regularly. We need to be daily readers of the Scripture as the Bereans in Acts 17:11, "searched the scriptures daily". We need to be as the man described in Psalms 1:1-3, as one who meditates upon the Word day and night.

If we revere the Word as we read it regularly we will RIGHTLY DIVIDE it. In 2 Timothy 2:15, we are told that we must rightly divide the word of truth. We must learn how to handle aright God's Word. We must rightly divide between the testaments, dispensations, commands and customs, circumstances and conditions of salvation, miraculous and non-miraculous. If we do this then we can have a proper understanding of God's Word.

If we revere the Word of God then we will want to RECEIVE it. Only by receiving, obeying God's Word can we be what God wants us to be. If we obey we become a child of His, a part of God's family (Galatians 3:26-27). To become a child of God is to be a christian (Acts 11:26). If one is a child of God, a christian, that means he is a member of the Lord's church (Acts 2:47). Salvation is only for those who have received, obeyed the "Truth" (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Hebrews 5:8-9; Acts 2:38).

Let us NOW encourage EVERYONE to be COMMITTED TO THE LORD; to OVERCOME THE DEVIL; to UPHOLD THE WORD and to REVERE THE WORD!

A-SSEMBLE WITH THE SAINTS. The Hebrew declared, "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works; Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:24-25). Assembling with the saints of God as He has directed is a great blessing and privilege. It is something that each child of God should look forward to with great anticipation. We need to assemble at every service of the church. We need to put off all of the excuses that we use for not attending and with great desire determine that we will be in attendance. Let's notice some key words that we need to remember that should encourage us to be regular attenders at all services and not just on Sunday morning.

A-SSOCIATIONS. It is certainly evident that when we meet with the saints of God at the designated times we are meeting with the Lord as well. We ought to look for opportunities to have fellowship with Him and his followers (Matthew 18:20; Acts 2:42).

S-OUL. We should want to be in attendance for all services for the benefit of our soul. We do not want to do anything that will hurt us spiritually and therefore put our soul in jeopardy. When we refuse to obey the commands of God, we have sinned and must repent unless we lose our soul in Hell (Hebrews 10:24-30; James 4:17; Luke 13:3; James 5:16). If we care about our souls we will want to be in attendance of every worship service. When we fail to attend the worship services as we should we show that our own souls are not precious to us.

S-OULS OF OTHERS. We must be concerned about others. We want to be a good example for others. We must do as Christ stated, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). We need to pay attention to the words of the Hebrew writer when he said, "Let us consider one another, to provoke unto love and to good works" (Hebrews 10:24). When one refuses to attend as he should, it is a demonstration of a lack of concern for the souls of others.

E-DIFICATION. Who is the person that does not need to be edified and encouraged? Notice the words in Hebrews 10:25, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching". The "exhorting one another" is speaking of the exhortation that comes from assembling together. How can we exhort, edify and encourage one another in the assemblies when we do not assemble?

M-ANDATORY. When we speak of assembling together to worship God we are referring to that which is not optional but mandatory. We must worship as Jesus said, "God is a spirit and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). It is a command of God to assemble together to worship (Hebrews 10:24-25). We need to be steadfast "in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42).

B-IBLE. We want to attend every worship service for it is the Bible that is read and studied (2 Timothy 2:15). To study the Bible is not only an obligation but also a delightful privilege (Psalms 1:1-3). By studying the Bible together this helps us to grow in knowledge (2 Peter 1:5-7; 3:18). Who is the person among us that does not need more knowledge? Therefore it is foolish for us to continue to neglect opportunities for studying the Bible.

L-OVE. When we think of assembling together to worship God let us think of love. Let us think of the love of God that He has demonstrated to us in the giving of His Son (Romans 5:8; John 3:16). Let us remember the love that Christ had as he gave himself for us (Hebrews 2:9; 2 Corinthians 5:21). May we never forget that their love continues to be demonstrated today in so many different ways. Our love must be demonstrated by doing what God has said. One thing He has told us to do is to assemble together to worship. When we fail to do that we show a lack of love for Him (John 14:15). John declares, "For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous" (1 John 5:3). To encourage faithfulness in attending the worship services just think about "love".

E-TERNITY. Why should we attend all the worship services? One day our lives here upon this earth will end, death will come (Hebrews 9:27). This world is not our home we are just passing through to a place of eternal life or eternal damnation. God has provided a place of eternal rest and reward for his faithful children. This place called Heaven should be our desire. It can be our dwelling place in the hereafter. But, for that to be the case, we must think upon things eternal now while we live. There must a love for those things with a desire to learn more about them so that we can live in hope of them. Certainly that would mean, among other things, that we put forth the effort to be in attendance for all of the worship services.

Let us therefore resolve to ENCOURAGE EVERYONE NOW to COMMIT TO THE LORD; to OVERCOME THE DEVIL; to UPHOLD THE WORD OF GOD; to REVERE THE WORD and to ASSEMBLE WITH THE SAINTS FOR ALL OF THE WORSHIP SERVICES!

G-LORIFY GOD. Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). To "glorify" means to adore; to honor; to esteem or to magnify. God is certainly worthy "to receive glory and honor and power" (Revelation 4:14). In 1 Corinthians 10:31, Paul said that we are to "do all to the glory of God." Let's notice some specific ways in which we can glorify God ourselves and also encourage others to do the same.

GLORIFY GOD IN WORKS

We must be involved in good works (works He has authorized) if we are to please and to glorify God. Paul declared in Ephesians 2:10, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." We must be "zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14). We must "be careful to maintain good works" (Titus 3:8) for that is good and profitable for man.

We must always remember the words of the Lord in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." As we engage in good works may this encourage others to glorify God and to be involved in good works as well. The writer of Hebrews states it well when he wrote, "And let us consider one another, to provoke unto love and to good works" (Hebrews 10:24).

GLORIFY GOD IN WORSHIP

"Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? For thou only art holy; for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest" (Revelation 15:4). If we are to glorify God in worship then our worship must be as He has authorized in His Word. You cannot glorify God in worship by worshipping in a way contrary to His Will. The guidelines for acceptable worship are stated in John 4:24 where Jesus said, "God is a spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." For worship to glorify God it must be directed to God- "must worship him"; with the right disposition of heart-"in spirit"; being guided by divine truth-"in truth" (John 4:24). Therefore, when we change any one of the three essential elements in worship, as described above, our worship will be in vain. This is something that the "change agents" in the church today must have forgotten. We must not allow mechanical instruments of music; solos, choruses, choirs; women preaching or leading in other areas in our worship services. Such matters are not authorized by Jehovah God. Yet, these are some of the very things that are being encouraged and practiced today among some who claim to be members of the church. Where and when such exists, God's Way for acceptable worship has been forsaken. When we follow our "own way" rather than God's Way in our worship, God cannot be glorified.

GLORIFY GOD IN WAY OF LIFE

Paul wrote, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Notice the words of Paul as recorded in Romans 12:1-2, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." When we bring our lives in harmony with God's Word, God is glorified. We must "walk in the light" (1 John 1:7); "walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4); "walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16); "walk not after the flesh" (Romans 8:1) and "walk in love" (Ephesians 5:2). To glorify God in our way of life is to put away the works of the flesh and to produce the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:19-23). Even when we suffer for right doing, for right living, God must be glorified. "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf" (1 Peter 4:16). Let us say as Paul, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 2:21).

GLORIFY GOD BY OUR WORDS

"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth; that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever" (1 Peter 4:11). It is true that when we teach and preach that we must only teach and preach "the truth". Paul said that we must "Preach the word" (2 Timothy 4:2). We must faithfully proclaim the "doctrine of Christ" (2 John 9-11). Therefore, when we teach that which is false doctrine, such words do not glorify God. God does want us to watch the words we use in our teaching and preaching and also in our everyday life. Do we gossip, take God's name in vain, curse? In Ephesians 4:29 Paul said, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." The importance of this can be seen in the fact that Jesus said, "That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matthew 12:36-37). It does make a difference what we say!

Let us ENCOURAGE EVERYONE NOW to COMMIT TO THE LORD, to OVERCOME THE DEVIL, to UPHOLD THE WORD OF GOD, to REVERE THE WORD OF GOD, to ASSEMBLE WITH THE SAINTS and to GLORIFY GOD in works, worship, way of life and in our words!

E-NDURE. In 1 Corinthians 15:58 Paul wrote, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." Then in 1 Corinthians 16:13, he wrote, "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." In Revelation 2:10 we have these words, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Christ declared in Matthew 24:13, "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." In John 8:31 Christ said, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed."

To endure is to stand fast, to be steadfast, to persevere, to keep on being faithful to God no matter the circumstances or situations we find ourselves in. Surely we can see the necessity of that. When problems in life come and they will, do not give up. In our lives there will be problems. The writer of old declared, "Man that is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble" (Job 14:1). Life is problem-filled. James said, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation..." (James 1:12). The word "temptation" as used by James in verses 2-12 does not have reference to a "solicitation to do evil" as it does beginning in verse 13, but it used to mean "outward trials of life". Yes, problems will come, but we must endure.

As a child of God we must also realize that as we live according to the Will of God, persecution will come upon us. The Christian is not exempt from persecution. Paul stated, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). Peter said, "Yet if any suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf" (1 Peter 4:16). Christ himself spoke of this in the Sermon on the Mount when he said, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake: Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you" (Matthew 5:10-12).

A person may feel like sometimes because of the problems or the persecution that faces the child of God to just give up, but he cannot! We are not the only ones who have problems or have been persecuted because of our stand for the Truth. Notice the attitude and actions of Peter and John, having suffered for what they believed and taught, the scripture says, "And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ" (Acts 5:41-42). Persecution nor the fear of it, stopped them from doing what was right in God's sight. We must endure, keep on proclaiming and practicing the Truth, no matter the problems or the persecution that may come to us.

We must endure, remain faithful to God so that Heaven can be our home. We can lose that hope. It is possible for one to become unfaithful to God. The child of God can sin and find himself is a lost condition, out of fellowship with God (1 Corinthians 10:12; Galatians 5:4; 6:1, 7-9; 1 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 3:12; James 5:19-20; 2 Peter 1:5-10; 1 John 1:7-10; 2:1-2). Also, we need to endure, so that we can encourage others in their faithfulness. When others see us enduring as we face problems and persecution this encourages them to be faithful as well. We do influence others to endure or to stop serving God by our words and way of life.

To endure it takes a personal desire, with a determination to be devoted and dedicated to the doing of the Will of God. This would certainly involve being COMMITTED TO THE LORD; OVERCOMING THE DEVIL; UPHOLDING & REVERING THE WORD; ASSEMBLING WITH THE SAINTS and GLORIFYING GOD. Therefore, let us NOW ENCOURAGE EVERYONE to ENDURE, to be faithful to the Lord as long as they live.

-- Jerry Joseph