Today's Passage - Matthew 10:21-23

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River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Matthew 10:21-23 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. This passage of scriptures refers to how Christians will be persecuted. Christians have been persecuted and hated by the world since early church era. Many Christians in China are being persecuted today because of their faith in Christ. Ones that follow the Lord must be prepared to suffer for His sake. Jesus said in John 15:18-19, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as it own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." Indeed we will face persecutions, like how Philippians 1:29 puts it, "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him." The "suffer" mentioned here does not refer to persecutions from the world only; it could also be attacks from friends, relatives, colleagues etc. When I was a kid, my lunchbox would be taken away by my schoolmates while I was saying grace. How then, could we face all these persecutions? .  In verse 22 the Lord says, "The one who stands firm to the end will be saved." There are two aspects to the "saved" mentioned here. Firstly, "saved" refers to the present salvation from the Lord. Our God is still making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland for us. When the Israelites arrived at the Red Sea, it was a critical moment for them as the Egyptians were marching after them. As the people sought after the Lord, God asked Moses to raise his staff and stretch out his hand over the sea, then the Red Sea was set apart and the Israelites went through the Red Sea on the dry ground. When the Egyptians horses and chariots went after the Israelites, the waters flow back and all the Egyptians died in the sea. Hallelujah! God's salvation is salvation of present moment. .  On the other hand, the Lord's salvation is also of future, referring to His second coming. During His second coming, sinners will be judged and the righteous ones will be exalted, but waiting for Him we need to learn to persevere and believe that the Lord will avenge for us. That way we can confidently bring our needs to Him, knowing that He will lead us. His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, so let us rest in Him! Pray with Pastor Tong Lord, I give thanks to you, for your word is our strength. I pray that you grant peace to those who are in difficult situations. Help us to believe in your word, that those who stand firm to the end will be saved. May you pour out such grace to all brothers and sisters. I give thanks and I pray all these in the victorious name of Jesus Christ, Amen! River of Life Christian Church | office@rolcc.net | ROLCC Website

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