The End Of Life

Many people start out in the Christian life pretty strong, but it is the way you finish that is most important.  Judas started out as a disciple, but was disqualified in the end.  I heard a sermon Friday night by Dr. Michael Brown that was a real eye opener, you might say.  The way we handle temptation is very important, it is something we best not ignore because in the end of our journey it may be the difference between being qualified or disqualified.

Read what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:26-27, “I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air: but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.”  I am not saying that Paul would lose his salvation, but he could lose his reputation and his witness, like so many that have once walked with the Lord starting out strong but in the end falling into horrible temptation and sin, losing their wives, families and much more.  

Dr. Brown told some terrible stories about two people that were in the ministry that started out strong but ended up destroyed and all because they yielded to temptation.  These people, and many others, didn’t think that what they were getting into would go as far as it did, but one of them ended up being tortured and killed, the other one ended up in a sexual incident that ruined his ministry and I am not sure if he ever recovered from it.  Then there was a young girl that left her home by her own choice, ending up in a bar and then became a prostitute.  She was very young and there was jealousy amongst the other girls because most of the men preferred her.  Then while trying to escape she ended up being tortured and killed and thrown into a river.  I am sure when they started out they didn’t dream they would end up the way they did.

Temptation is very real and it is, in many cases, very alluring and can be very deadly, so we must do our very best to flee temptation.  We have an enemy that has had years to master his deceptive schemes and has destroyed the faith of many through enticing temptations. Think about this, he coerced one third of the angels to rebel against God and he has accomplished that goal with many others down through the ages.  I know he was defeated at the cross but he is very much alive, he deceived Judas and he wanted to sift Peter as wheat and if not for Jesus intervening he may have taken Peter down also.  He is still powerful today, but praise God that he isn’t all powerful like the Lord is and with the Lord’s help we can overcome the enemy also.  The enemy will never give up trying to take advantage of God’s sons and daughters, so we need to be studying the Word and walking in the Spirit, prayed up with the whole armor of God on, so that we will be aware of the enemy’s schemes and his devices.

Read what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 2:17, “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”  I know this is talking about forgiveness but I think we can use it here also because the enemy is always trying to take advantage of us and bring destruction to all of us that are believers.  Usually the enemy comes when we are tired, down or discouraged or even persecuted.  What we need to remember is this, if we resist the devil he will flee from us.  In 1 Peter 5:6-8 it says this, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

So let’s make an effort to end up even stronger than when we started this journey and then we may hear these words, “well done, my good and faithful servant, enter into your rest.”  I have given you something to think about and act on and I hope you will.  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may you have a super day!!  And don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord, for He is worthy!!