In the journey of a Christian, the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but he who endures to the end, the same shall be saved. Paul acknowledged In Ephesians, he hadn’t made it yet, but he was pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling in CHRIST JESUS. He was speaking of the finish line, for he had felt the grueling race, and his sights were set on that Glorious Robe and Crown waiting for him. We must understand, when JESUS told us to pick up our cross daily and follow Him, it came with a price. The life of a true Christian takes the mind and willingness to endure the sufferings of this present life. This is why many Saints apostitize their Faith, because they’re not willing to pay the price. They came to God thinking ALL THEIR PROBLEMS IN LIFE are going to vanish. Where in the world would this ideology come from? It’s not biblical, yet many of the Epistles and letters to the Church admonish us to have the mind to suffer for the sake of CHRIST. No where in Scripture do we read about being free from suffering “until we make it to Heaven,” so while in these mortal bodies, it comes with suffering due to the inherent penalty of being born into sin. BUT, He tells us that His grace is sufficient to sustain us during our weakness and trials of life. He tells us He will never leave us nor forsake us. As in the words of Paul, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” The key is willingness to ENDURE! Peter tells us to ARM OURSELF with this frame of mind, that way our mind is prepared for the battles of life, because we’re in a war that’s raging against the souls of humanity, and our Eternal residence is at stake!!! In the day and age we live in, standing for Truth and Righteousness is a battle, standing against sin and immorality is a battle, upholding the standard of Holiness is a battle, keeping the world out of our home and out of the Church is a battle, and keeping our flesh under subjection is a battle. That’s why Paul, -perhaps chained to a Roman Soldier while penning the letter of Ephesians, admonished us to put on the Whole Armour of God that we may be able to stand in the evil day. He took notice that the Roman Soldier was prepared for battle, and realized he too was in a Spiritual battle! He learned first hand, there is a price tag to being sold out to JESUS CHRIST. This wasn’t a “patty cake” make me feel good religion: It was REAL, and the enemy was real, and we better be prepared for battle! Saint of God, keep your hand to the plough in the work of the Lord, and your eyes fixed on JESUS, He’s coming soon to reward us if we faint not!

Galatians 6:9_”And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Romans 2:7 _”To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:”

Hebrews 12:1_”Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”

God Bless, JDS🙏