THE HARD WAY

'Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.' - Matthew 7 vs 13 - 14 {King James Version}

False teachers give you an impression that the road to Eternal Life is easy—this is why their disciples cannot cease from sin. But friends, I tell you by the word of the Lord, the journey to Life eternal is a walk in righteousness—and this walk in righteousness will bring many deprivations to you in this world! It's a hard walk:

'Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.' - 2 Timothy 3 vs 12 {KJV}

It's a hard walk! This is why the Believers in Bible days were encouraged by the Apostles continually to hold on and endure unto the end:

'Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.' - 1 Corinthians 16 vs 13 {KJV}

• stand fast

'Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.' - Galatians 5 vs 1 {KJV}

• Stand fast

'Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.' - Philippians 4 vs 1 {KJV}

• stand fast in the Lord

'But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.' - Hebrews 3 vs 6 {KJV}

• if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end

'For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end...' - Hebrews 3 vs 14 {KJV}

• if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end

'And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end...' - Hebrews 6 vs 11 {KJV}

• unto the end

'Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ...' - 1 Peter 1 vs 13 {KJV}

• hope to the end

The Lord Jesus gave the counsel first:

'And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.' - Matthew 24 vs 12 - 13 {King James Version}

⦁ he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved

You see... Life eternal is a persistent holding on to the things you have believed in Christ Jesus regardless of circumstances, trials, peril or death; it's an enduring walk in righteousness—and this walk in righteousness will bring many deprivations to you in this world! It's a hard walk. This is why the Believers in Bible days were encouraged by the Apostles continually to hold on and endure their afflictions unto the end. It's still the same today! We are to hold on and endure our sufferings in this world till the end. Our hands will not meddle in unrighteousness, and it will be so till the day of Jesus Christ. Only those who walk this path will inherit Eternal Life: 

'And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.' - Revelation 21 vs 6 - 8 {King James Version}

Note, the Lord was speaking to John concerning the Church (Believers), not unbelievers. Pay attention! It doesn't matter if a man claimed to believe the Gospel, it doesn't matter if a man calls Jesus Lord, if he doesn't walk this path—the path of righteousness, he really didn't believe, he has no part in Eternal Life when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

'And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?' - Luke 6 vs 46 {KJV}

'Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.' - Matthew 7 vs 21 {KJV}

• but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven

Dear Believer, watch your ways, purify your path—you are Born Again!

Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Jenning Uweye

Teacher,

Global Bible Study Community

www.globalbiblestudy.online

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