At any level when Christians are persecuted and tortured, there is a chance, many will begin to lose their faith. As they lose their faith, many will turn on each other since hate was already there in their hearts. Persecution or torture may also represent great stress or pressure on one's general life. Great stress or pressure can be reflected in the lives of dealing with family issues, finances, or personal peace.
When such persecution or torture (great stress/pressure) occur, many will be drawn to false prophets to believe their lies. The false prophets can be individuals or churches that teach a water down message. The false prophets represent false authority. What is a water down message? What did Jesus teach us as HE was the example? HE did not walk away, quit, complain, or sought a way out. For the sake of Love, HE endured the cross. We all have our spiritual crosses to carry. We must endure our circumstances, situations, and difficulties for they are used to help us die to ourselves. We may also have to endure even if it cost us our lives. The false gospel or authority teaches us to run and save our own lives.
Why would so many professing Christians betray and fall away? Since they have hate (sin) in their hearts, they will seek a false gospel that does not point out the root of their sins but rather distract them to the thorns of thistles. The thorns of thistles are the cares of the world. They will be distracted by end time or worldly events rather then their hearts. Jesus commanded us to first clean the inside of the cup. HE wants to over turn the tables in our hearts that are occupied by spiritual foxes and merchants. The worldly issues represent the outside of the cup which are the concerns of our physical needs and issues. But we are to seek the Kingdom first and all His righteousness.
Verse 12 states "most people will stop showing their love for each other." The lack of love for one another will increase the sin in the world. Many will think they are loving each other but in truth, they will still possess hate and bitterness in their hearts. Rather than enduring for one another, we will and are abandoning as we leave one another. Verse 13 is very sobering, "But those people who keep their faith until the end will be saved." In our walk with Jesus, to keep our faith is to keep on loving to the end as we die to hate, bitterness, resentment, and so forth.
Many Christians are easily offended because they are still very carnal. Many Christians are easily offended by their pastors, other church members, or family members. If we say we love one another through HIS Love, then how can we be offended? Are we not able to forgive and continue to forgive? Of course, we all still need to grow in HIM and obtain His heart and love.
But if we are offended and we stop going to church or we stop praying, reading, and worshipping, then we are already falling away and not keeping our faith. We cannot stop praying, reading, worshipping, and staying in HIS Presence and claim we still believe or have faith. We must continue to do the things of God to define persevering and staying in the faith until the end. Please do not be deceived nor be led away by offense by staying away from God. We cannot blame people and then get angry at God by staying away from HIM (following His commandments).
When God's own people persecuted, kicked, mocked, spat, and crucified Jesus, HE did not get mad at Father God. HE did not run away, quit, or had a tantrum. HE continued to love those who were weaker as HE died for them (us). Do you really possess His Heart? Or are you offended and fallen into the trap of the enemy? Being mad or offended is not keeping your faith.
Pastor Steve
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