"Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
stand in his strength alone;
the arm of flesh will fail you,
ye dare not trust your own:
put on the gospel armor,
each piece put on with pray'r;
where duty calls, or danger,
be never wanting there."
(Stand up, Stand up for Jesus, 3rd verse; George Duffeld, 1858) I've heard it often said that you can tell who the true Christians are by how they act. Many are looking at what is going on in the world around us as a testimony of that. Many people are letting fear rule them. Now, before you go getting angry, this isn't a debate on masks, or not. What I am saying is this: there will always be another disease that threatens humanity and quality of life. There will always be war, unrest, and chaos. Why? Because the world is broken. What I am speaking of is the response to such things by those who are called by Christ. We forget the words of the Master "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it," (Matthew 16:25). Many are afraid for their own lives, and even the lives of others, all the while reducing quality of life to hold on to what they have. Jesus came to give us a full and abundant life, where there is no place for fear, worry, or any such thing. Jesus said in the same line "but whoever loses his life because of Me will find it." We should be risking it all, as Jesus gave it all, for us. Remember Jesus' parable of the three servants who were given money by their master as an investment? The one who buried what he had was thrown out and called wicked and lazy! The Master is returning, and expecting a return on the investment He paid with His blood. Let us then be bold. My life was forfeit the day Jesus rescued me. I will give my life, gladly for the cause of the Cross. Yes, I know I may get sick and die, but I know that eternity without Jesus is scarier than physical death here and now. I will continue to go until Jesus calls me home. As Charles Spurgeon said, Sudden Death [for the believer] is sudden glory, so let us stand up, boldly, lovingly for Jesus Christ! 2 Timothy 1:3-14 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
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