Consider Jesus' parables, the Beatitudes, and His dying on the cross for us and then ask yourself the question...
"Do you take salvation seriously?"
I have thought about this long and hard and came up with the definitive answer "yes!" and no :)
Please allow me to explain my not so decisive answer.
Yes, because I understand and believe that Jesus died on the cross to save me from my sin. No, because I don't always live my life like I truly understand that concept. Sometimes I let the world crowd out the fact that Jesus has overcome the world. The full wrath of God (for my sinful nature) was placed on His innocent Son so that I do not have to endure hell. Wow! Do we really get what that means?? Heaven and hell are just concepts to us, we can't see them, we can only understand these places based on what we read in the Bible - and even then only with our limited human minds. I am thankful that God knows I am human and that His power is made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9), whatever that weakness may be.
Consider the spiritual realm... do we know what that looks like? We know that the saints who have gone before us are patiently waiting for judgement day so that all believers will be reconciled to the Father. Patiently waiting for the day when ALL of creation will be restored.
We will be persecuted in this life, but Jesus suffered the ultimate persecution. Hebrews 12 reminds us that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses (those that we have read about in the Old Testament and in the New Testament. They prove God's faithfulness - and prove that our faith in God is not in vain!). They are cheering us on!! Try to visualize that :0 Especially when you feel defeated or overwhelmed by life.
Hebrews 12: 2-3 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Take a minute and listen to this awesome song from Tenth Avenue North. It has spoken to my heart in the last couple of weeks and I think you will be blessed by it too. If you are looking for a great CD, this one is titled "The Struggle".
