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Matthew 10:22 - Enduring To The End By Focusing On Christ!

Matthew 10:22 - Enduring To The End By Focusing On Christ!

Matthew 10:22 (NLT) And everyone will hate you because of your 
allegiance to me. But those who endure to the end will be saved.   

INTRODUCTION

   A relationship with God is our only means of finding 
fulfillment and satisfaction in life. But it isn't always easy. One of the 
most frustrating aspects of that relationship is couched in Matthew 
25:5: "The bridegroom was a long time in coming." The primary purpose 
of this parable is to depict the return of Jesus, but the dynamic 
of waiting applies to so much more. Abraham waited long years for 
God to fulfill a promise. Joseph waited a lifetime for his dream to 
become reality. The Israelites were in Egypt for 430 years before God 
delivered them through Moses.  
   One of the keys of life with God, apparently, is waiting. We 
can be encouraged by the fact that, according to Hebrews 6:12, it is 
"through faith and patience" that we inherit God's promises. Delay is not 
his denial of those promises. It's part of the process of fulfilling 
them. [NIV Once A Day Bible re Mat. 25:5] 

Endurance grows out of commitment to Jesus Christ. Jesus 
predicted that his followers would be severely persecuted by those who 
hated what he stood for. In the midst of terrible persecutions, 
however, they could have hope, knowing that salvation was theirs. Times 
of trial serve to sift true Christians from false or fair-weather 
Christians. When you are pressured to give up and turn your back on Christ, 
don't do it. Remember the benefits of standing firm, and continue to 
live for Christ ... Standing firm to the end is not a way to be saved 
but the evidence that a person is really committed to Jesus. 
Persistence is not a means to earn salvation; it is the by-product of a 
truly devoted life. [Life Application SB] 

One of Jesus' favorite words was a Greek word often translated 
"remain," "stay," or "abide." It describes a profound, intimate, and 
enduring relationship. For example, Jesus used this word when he said, 
"You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings" 
(John 8:31). The idea is that our lives are fully formed by Jesus' 
word. Jesus described how the Son is in the Father and the Father is 
in the Son (John 14:10-11). Likewise, when we remain in Christ, the 
Son is in us, and we are in the Father and the Son (John 17:21). 
Both the Father and the Son come and make their home within us. This 
mutual indwelling is precisely what it means to remain in Christ. We 
cannot gain the permanence of our relationship by our own effort. This 
relationship is only made permanent by the gracious initiative of God 
indwelling our lives through his Spirit. This means commitment on the part 
of both God and us. God's dwelling in us and our dwelling in God is 
not a fleeting or temporary commitment but an enduring, permanent, 
and eternal relationship (see 1 John 2:14, 17).  [One Year NLT SB] 

COMMENTARY

Enduring by Keeping Focused On Christ

   Toddlers are notorious for their short attention spans. Older 
children and especially adults, however, can fix their attention on 
something for quite some time. Have you ever tried to pull a ten-year-old 
away from a favorite video game? Or how about trying to pull an avid 
sports fan away from the game of the week?  
   It is with this kind of absorption that the writer of Hebrews 
says we should fix our attention on Jesus. Unlike video games and 
sporting events, focusing our entire attention on Jesus can benefit us in 
many ways, the most important of which is a deep relationship with 
God. Refocus your eyes on Christ.  
   Jesus suffered tremendous humiliation, injustice, and 
physical pain to do God's will (Hebrews 12:2-4). Strangers arrested him 
for crimes he didn't commit, beat him, mocked him, and spat on him. 
Friends deserted him. His heavenly Father left him to die alone. He died 
slowly and painfully in the company of common thieves. He became an 
offering for our sin (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). That is the price Jesus 
paid to obey his heavenly Father.  
   The struggles you endure to follow Jesus are real. It takes 
energy and commitment to say no to sinful desires, to do good deeds 
that you don't want to do, and to discipline yourself to pray and 
study God's Word on a regular basis.  
   When you feel discouraged in your Christian life, think of 
Jesus and all he went through to do what God wanted. Then take heart 
knowing that you can do what God requires of you by his strength and 
grace. Stay focused on him. [The One Year Through the Bible Devotional 
by Dave Veerman re Heb. 12:1-6] 

   As long as you focus on Me, you are safe. If you gaze too 
long at the myriad problems around you, you will sink under the 
weight of your burdens. When you start to sink, simply call out "Help 
me, Jesus!" and I will lift you up. 
   The closer you live to Me, the safer you are. Circumstances 
around you are undulating, and there are treacherous-looking waves in 
the distance. Fix your eyes on Me, the One who never changes. By the 
time those waves reach you, they will have shrunk to proportions of 
My design. I am always beside you, helping you face today's waves. 
The future is a phantom, seeking to spook you. Laugh at the future! 
Stay close to Me. (Phi. 4:7; Mat. 14:30; Heb. 12:2) [Jesus Calling by 
Sarah Young] 

   Let Me prepare you for the day that stretches out before you. 
I know exactly what this day will contain, whereas you have only 
vague ideas about it. You would like to see a map showing all the 
twists and turns of your Journey. You'd feel more prepared if you could 
somehow visualize what is on the road ahead. However, there is a better 
way to be prepared for whatever you will encounter today: Spend 
quality time with Me. 
   I will not show you what is on the road ahead, but I will 
thoroughly equip you for the journey. My living Presence is your Companion 
each step of the way. Stay in continual communication with Me, 
whispering My Name whenever you need to redirect your thoughts. Thus, you 
can walk through this day with your focus on Me. My abiding Presence 
is the best road map available. (Exo. 33:14; John 15:4-7) [Jesus 
Calling by Sarah Young] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE:

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2014/20140122-1153.html

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2006/20060113-1025.html

SPECIAL VIDEO CLIP ON SEEKING GOD:

http://vimeo.com/31489782

EXCELLENT BIBLE PROPHECY SERIES BY DR RON CLOUZET:

Prophecies Decoded Sermon Series: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657