“And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls.” (Luke 21:16-19 KJV).
Reflecting on these verses through the lens of grace and the security of God’s eternal plan, our Lord Jesus Christ assures us that in the face of end-times turmoil and persecution, believers are completely secure in the shield of His grace. We just need to rest in His finished work, rather than strive in fear by work of self-effort through religious laws. When our Lord Jesus warns of believers being hated, betrayed, and delivered up by loved ones-who cause many to be put to death, He is preparing us of the reality of living in a world cursed by sin. The mind of the flesh in this place is hostile to God (Romans 8:7). He teaches with clarity that this suffering is not a punishment from God. Rather, it is the reality of the last days in this fallen world.
Declaring that in the midst of all these “not a hair of your head will perish” is a powerful pledge of eternal security. He assures that no matter the outward circumstances, your eternal destiny and spirit are absolutely untouchable and settled in Christ Jesus.
Our Lord gives an oath that "By your endurance you will gain your lives". This is not a call to work hard but to endure in faith by yielding our every being in His grace, to prevent our flesh from responding with its normal reaction of self-effort. This is not a call to earn salvation by merit of work. Our "endurance" is our settled state of ‘rest’ in grace by faith in Christ.
Scriptures hearten us with these words: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC.
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC.
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
