Is life getting more difficult for you, rather than easier? It is for me. It seems to be just one thing after another. While the world carries on with everyday life, the True people of God are fighting the good fight of faith. The battles are intense and we wonder, “………………O Lord, how long?” (Psalms 6: 3). This shouldn’t surprise us, though. Peter told us, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:” (1 Peter 4: 12). Jesus has done told us, “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 24: 13).

We are being warred against, children of God! This battle is for the souls of mankind. While so many take their eternal welfare lightly — as just an added feature to their already busy lives — for the people of God — this is what life is all about. This is our life — fighting the good fight of faith that we might obtain an eternal crown! “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3: 4).

The world either doesn’t think about eternity at all, or tucks it away on the sideline for a more convenient time. The Truth is, you cannot have God just when you want Him. You cannot have The Lord Jesus when it is convenient. You cannot acknowledge God when you are just around other believers. You must be willing to proclaim Christ at all times — both verbally and by your actions as well.

Frequenting the same places you did before committing your life to Christ is NOT where you want to be. There should be a change in your life. When the Son of Man comes, where do you want to be found? A better question might be where do you NOT want to be found? Is Jesus Christ your Everything, or have you put Him on the shelf  — ready to be pulled down at your convenience?

Many professing believers want to have Christ and the world at the same time. They have no problem blending in with the world when they are among the world, but Scripture says that we are to, “………………….come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2 Corinthians 6: 17). Christ knows where you are, and sees everything you do — wherever you are — with whomever you are. Jesus said, “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10: 33). If you act like the world, when you are with the world, then guess what? If you’re not careful, that makes you of the world!

Let me ask you a question, if you cannot take a stand for Jesus Christ when you’re around non Christians, then what are you going to do when confronted with death, torture, or imprisonment for His Name’s sake? That is the choice countless Christians are presented with everyday —  and most likely — even before you finish reading this message. You say that will never happen in this country. Let me tell you, it’s coming! Persecution is coming and we need to be preparing ourselves to stand in the face of it.

The enemy wants to seek and destroy all that the children of God have. While I’ve heard this preached over the years that this amounts to taking away your material possessions, what it truly involves is trying to destroy your victory and faith in Jesus Christ.

So I ask, are you being warred against? We may not be seeing Christians being persecuted in this country to the extent that beheadings are taking place yet, but we can be sure that, “the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time” (Revelation 12: 12). There is a battle raging, and we are being warred against, and the struggle will only intensify as we draw closer to the complete fulfillment of Revelation 13: 7, “⁷ And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” Daniel tells us, “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High………………………” (Daniel 7: 25).

As a child of God, living in these last of the last days, are you feeling worn out?

We are going to be warred against! Time is short and we are at the end of the end. The ends of time are indeed upon us. Ephesians 6: 11 tells us to, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” That is what we must do — prepare ourselves to stand now — and in the days to come. Once we are standing, and where we need to be IN CHRIST — having our lives in Him — and totally in Him — having done all to stand — then, we are, to just simply — stand. Our trust is in Jesus in everything! He is The One that will give us the strength to stand!

Let us keep fighting the good fight of faith, knowing there is a great reward and times of refreshing for the people of God. Hold on, and someday soon, Jesus will say to us. “………………..Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25: 21).

Blessed be The Name of The Lord! Amen!