Endure Hardship!

Endure Hardship!

“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2 Tim. 2:3.

This was a first-class invitation young Timothy received. But Paul knew that he was worthy of it, because he was a young man without guile.

Paul did not have anything else to which he could invite Timothy, since he had joyfully offered up everything in this world, having received the same invitation on the way to Damascus. Then it was said, “For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” Acts 9:16.

During His sojourn here on earth, Jesus also did not have anything else to which He could invite others except the cross, sufferings, and tribulations. “Can you drink the cup that I drink . . . ?” Mark 10:38. “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Matt. 8:20. “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23. “Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matt. 7:14.

Jesus’ invitation was to a life of faith without any visible advantages, thereby separating all self-indulgent and conceited people. He wanted a flock of disciples whose love was without guile—who were faithful and devoted to doing His will unto death. He wanted a flock in whose hearts was not a “Yes and No” but an eternal “Yes!” to doing His will, without considering the battles, sufferings, and sacrifices.

During His sojourn here on earth among the human masses, Jesus met one here and one there who had this attitude. He saw Nathaniel coming toward Him and said, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” John 1:47. Just before that He had met Andrew, Peter, and Philip. Their flesh was no better than anyone else’s flesh, but they had upright hearts in which was no guile; therefore they were invited to follow Jesus. Such hearts could become the foundation for the laws and commandments of the new covenant. Jesus could use them as foundation stones in the precious temple of the new covenant. They were prepared to be molded and treated in such a way that Christ could do His glorious work in them. Jesus could entrust them with labors, burdens, and responsibilities; and it was granted to them not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His name’s sake.

Even in our days disciple-material like Nathaniel can be found here and there among the masses of humanity and among the thousands of Christians—disciples who will love Jesus above everything else with an unfailing love. Jesus can use such people, and they do not fail when He really has need of them in the heat of the battle. They are entrusted with the most exalted knowledge; and because they are always prepared to receive counsel and admonition, they become partakers of God’s manifold wisdom, which will be the guiding power for all eternity.

There will be an essential difference for all eternity between the unfailing disciples of Jesus, who are His followers in spirit and in truth, and the tens of thousands of other Christians who are merely adherents. We read about the bride who is without spot or wrinkle, and about the wedding guests. We also read about the city, the New Jerusalem, and about the nations that will walk in its light, etc. Now we need—more than ever before—wholehearted, good warriors of Jesus Christ who are willing to endure hardship. If we have a noble attitude and are willing to do this in love, Christ will see to it that we will receive a reward.