Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Matthew 24:13 But he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
STAND FIRM!
By ourselves we could never stand firm in the faith until the end of time. But we are not by ourselves! We have Jesus to keep our faith safe until the end.
Standing firm in the faith means sticking close to Jesus at all times. We dare never forget how desperately we need Him. Our faith simply cannot survive until the end unless we continue to abide in His love.
The Savior's call to stand firm is also a reminder that we can count on Him to give us the strength and endurance to stay close to Him until the very end. He gives us a persevering faith through the gospel in word and sacrament. He will keep His promise to give us eternal life. He won't let anything separate us from His love!
A news report once showed a rescue device used on the oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. In case of emergency -- usually a fire -- rig workers scramble into a bullet shaped flotation module. When the entry port is shut, the vehicle is released down a chute and projected away from the rig. The capsule bobs in the sea until the rescuers come to pick it up. Even though the rig may topple into the sea those aboard are safe.
Jesus' redeeming love is our safety capsule now and right on through the devastation of the world's end. His gospel will keep us securely strapped in that capsule until He takes us by the hand and leads us into the joy of our never ending inheritance. Even though things may continue to get worse for us Christians as we draw closer to the end, nothing can sink the believer in Christ Jesus. So hang in there, dear Christian, and stand firm in our Savior's grace!
