BUILT TO ENDURE

Mankind created in the image and likeness of the only true and living God, formed from the dust of the earth and given the breath of life became a living soul built to endure; able to bear much more than the carnal mind is ready to believe. God who has the power to: made some of us vessels unto honor to endure by His mercy and others vessels unto dishonor for His wrath. What if: God willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction? With this intent He created Pharaoh, king of Egypt, Judas Iscariot and many more fitted for destruction. That he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory (Romans 9:22-23), He made us His Children. The vessels of wrath will continue until the day of their destruction and the vessels of mercy will endure unto life everlasting. Whether for destruction or for glory; we are all built to endure persecutions, trials, tribulations, afflictions and chastening according to the will of God. It is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake that if we suffer, we shall also reign with him and if we deny him, he also will deny us. Therefore if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf for he is built to endure. We have this treasure in earthen vessels that the Excellency of the power may be of God and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of our Lord Jesus that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we who live are always delivered unto death for Christ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds by Christ. When we are afflicted, it is for our consolation and salvation. We are built to endure. As partakers of Christ sufferings, rejoice with exceeding joy for you are built to endure to eternal life. For the God of all grace, who has called you unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus; after that you have suffered a while, will make you perfect, established, strengthened and settled. Therefore Fear none of those things which you shall suffer. The devil shall cast some of you into prison that you may be tried; you shall have tribulation, life will not be as you would like, or as you would expect; but be faithful unto death; and the Lord will give you a crown of life. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. He has made his intentions known that we may learn to fear him, love him and trust him. If we believe not, he still remains faithful; he cannot deny himself, he cannot lie. Therefore let all who suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us whom He has built to endure.

Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; for there is one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, through all and in all. May we then stop murmuring: complaining about how things are and about all that is happening in the world today that we dislike. Stop promoting fear and anxiety in the family of God; and begging God to change His Will to please us and satisfy the desires of our flesh. Know for sure: there is someone whose sufferings are much greater than yours; who might have never had a good day in his or her life; but built to endure is been kept by the mighty hand of God. May we instead present our bodies as living sacrifices holy and acceptable unto the Lord; knowing that this is our reasonable service? Then humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt us in due time. For you O child of God: is BUILT TO ENDURE; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom, as He has promised.

Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Love you. Be blessed.

W. Bennett