Through the Bible: Lukeنموونە
Stand Firm
You will be betrayed even by parents..., and they will put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair on your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life.
Luke 21:16-19 (NIV)
Do you think of end times? When we see wars, earthquakes, and famines intensify around us, we are reminded of Jesus’ return.
What about the reminders? Luke advises us to STAND FIRM amid dangerous times. We are urged not to be deceived or to be terrified. We are reminded that destruction will not be immediate and that these things will happen because they are a fulfilment of prophecy. When persecuted and even betrayed by family, we are encouraged to endure and persevere.
What about the opportunities? We will have a chance to testify for Jesus, with God giving us the wisdom to overcome our adversaries.
What are the assurances? Not even a hair on our head will perish if we stand firm. We will win life.
What should we do? Avoid behaving unfaithfully and being weighed down by worldly pleasures. Pray always to be counted worthy.
Prayer
Lord, help me not to be fearful about the end times. Instead, help me be always prepared, focus on being righteous and faithful, and pray that I can be counted worthy. Thanks for the assurance that if we stand firm, we will win life. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
About this Plan
As the longest book in the New Testament, Luke makes the purpose of his writing clear at the beginning: to investigate and write an account of the Gospel. As a Gentile physician, Luke has deliberately recorded many healing miracles of Jesus and His care for the social outcasts. The Gospel is summarised in this proclamation of Jesus, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
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