Hebrews 11:13-16
These all died in faith, not having received the things promised…God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared for them a city.
When we speak of suffering, oftentimes we immediately think of death because many of the people in our lives who have suffered have done so because of some kind of illness that brought their lives to an end. Every day, suffering people pass from this present life into the next. Many people today do not believe that there is life after death. The Bible has much to say about this final event of our earthly lives. Scripture tells us that all men will most certainly experience physical death — unless they were Enoch or Elijah or they happen to be among those who are alive when Christ returns. God’s Word is concerned with how we will die. There are two ways for the human to die, in faith or in our sins. The process of death will vary with each individual but one will die either in faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord or in one’s sins with no hope, only eternal damnation in hell as the abode for that one. Matthew 25:31–46 describes the event as the angels sorting the sheep from the goats. The goats are those who never placed their faith in Christ alone according to John 8:24. Those who die in faith, however, are promised eternal life. For the believer, death is not the end of life but the beginning of a heavenly reward for eternity. All those who truly place their faith in Jesus become His sheep. They receive the reward due of the bliss of living in God’s presence. Our verses today tell us most assuredly that God will never be ashamed to be the Lord of those who trust Him. When we place our confidence and hope in Him, we can be sure that our suffering will one day end and that our labor for the Lord will be rewarded. The faith that is required is a persevering faith. Anyone can have an emotional experience or a false trust in God when life is going well. True faith perseveres even in the hardest of times, trusting in God even when it seems impossible to do so. The Bible is clear that all those with true faith will persevere until the end because God preserves them in His Son, Jesus Christ. No one can snatch us from Christ’s hand according to John 10:27–28. Our own efforts do not accomplish our perseverance. The gift of faith given to the elect will certainly be exercised in this earthly life. Ask the Lord to strengthen your faith and, if you are struggling to believe, find another Christian who can help you through your doubts.
Source: S C Ball April 16, 2024
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