“But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:13-14).
We do not have to go through these trials to be saved, but when the trials come, the ones who trust what the Lord has already done will remain in the salvation which is already theirs. It seems that Jesus is saying that there are some who will reject the salvation that He gives. You have been given the truth. Live in the truth and let nothing get in the way of living in the promised hope which is already yours.
Lord, the trials and tribulations of this world can choke off true life. The world screams at believers in contradictory fashion, tugging and pulling in multiple directions. Listen to and obey the word of truth. Do not let yourself be guided by the ever changing, and yet never changing, winds of this world. See clearly the words of eternal life which Jesus has revealed through His life, death, and resurrection.
Lord, the culture is constantly influencing the church. We are tugged and pulled in so many different directions. Help me to see through the mess of this world so that I am not led astray. Keep me in the way of true life. Teach me how to endure past all of the pablum that this world spews. Guide me ever deeper into the truth of the Gospel which has been delivered once for all. Amen.
