Stand Firm in Christ Jesus

I John 3:1-3 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

As children of God, we must not forget that this world we live in is not Christ-friendly. When we call upon Jesus as Savior and are adopted into God's family, the world will hate us. John tells us that the world doesn't know us because it does not know Him. Jesus said that this world will hate us because it hated Him first (John 15:18). He reminds us that we are in the world, but not of the world, because in Christ we have been taken out of the world. Because of this, many of us will experience persecution for sharing Jesus and living for Him. However, today I want to remind us all of Jesus' words regarding persecution; "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in Heaven." (Matthew 5:10-12). As God's children, let us always remember that regardless of how much persecution we experience in this world; in the end, when we are finally with Him, our Heavenly Father will reward us for remaining steadfast in Christ Jesus. "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord's work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (I Corinthians 15:58)

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).