Are You Continuing Onward to Victory?
© 2019 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)
I was recently asked to present teaching on the subject of “continuing.” The request came from a gathering of Christians whose size has declined in recent years. Though still gathering in faithfulness to Christ, they seem to be struggling with a sense of discouragement.
While pondering the subject of continuing, I thought about Christ who empowers our continuing in the Christian faith. He is our Lord and God. He died and rose again to save sinners. Of Him Scripture declares,
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
He continues eternally unchanged in His character and essence, and is our only foundation for preservation and blessing. Christian perseverance can be built on no other foundation.
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11)
The encouraging news is that Jesus Christ unequivocally decrees the ultimate success of His continuing process to build His church.
“…I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)
Notice the mention of hell’s gates in the passage above. Gates are defensive tools. They do not jump off their hinges and pursue the enemy. Satan knows his ultimate defeat is certain. Yet, in his last stand, he sets up powerful blockades in an attempt to hinder fulfillment of this decree. However, these blockades shall never stop Christ’s continuing purpose to build His church!
As a local gathering of Christ’s people continue faithfully serving Him, God’s blessing may come in ways they don’t expect. Instead of growing the faithful local gathering, God may speed the growth of His church by removing some of the local gathering’s participants to distant places. Because they are already faithful and have been spiritually well nourished in the faithful local gathering, they will continue to spread God’s Word in those distant places. Though the local gathering seems to have been depleted, its faithfulness has been transplanted to other soil. Still, Christ builds His church, producing the increase thereof!
“So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3:7)
Christ’s elect shall continue unto ultimate victory! (Matthew 25:34) However, those who die without Christ shall continue, forever, in unending misery (Matthew 25:41). How will you continue?
.
You may leave comments for Tom & Kathy (website administrators) below.