Therefore, Cast Not Away Your Confidence Which Hath Great Recompense of Reward - Part 1440

"But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions, partly, whilst ye were made a gazing stock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly whilst ye became companions of them that were so used ... for ye had compassion of Me in My bonds and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and enduring substance -- [therefore,] cast not away your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward, for you have need of patience that, after ye have done the will of God, you might receive the promise ..." (Hebrews 10:32-39)

There is a lesson to be learned here. As Paul shared, his apostleship was not of men, neither by man, but rather by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead -- who gave Himself for our sins that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father to whom is glory forever and ever. (Galatians 1:1-5) Note at the same time that Paul is praising the Lord Jesus for delivering him from this present evil world, he is also marveling that ye/we are so soon removed from Him that called you/us into the grace of Christ unto another gospel ... which is not another but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (Galatians 1:6-12)

It is herein that Paul establishes the point, a thread that is readily apparent throughout his epistle to the Galatians, and his other writings, as well.

"But though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again -- if any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men? or God? Or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was not preached of me is not after man, for I neither received it of man, neither was I taught [it] but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:1-12)

Paul writes the same message to the saints in Corinth. That is, "moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures ... " (I Corinthians 15:1-4)

" ... and keep the ordinances as I delivered [them] to you!" (I Corinthians 11:2)

"For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you ... " (I Corinthians 11:23)

"For this cause, I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward; how that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery (as I wrote afore in a few words), whereby when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ -- which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel, whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of His power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ ...” (Ephesians 3:1-9)

But what we are told far too often is that our lives in the world will be substantially improved by accepting Jesus into our heart as Lord and Saviour. And for some, there is truth in this statement. But if in turn, our well-being comes from the world, wherein (as apostle Paul asks) are we justified by faith? Wherein do we find peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ?

This same Jesus Christ by whom we have access by faith into this grace, "wherein we stand and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God .... and not only [so] but we glory in tribulations also." (Romans 5:1-3)

Read that again! "But we glory in tribulations also." (Romans 5:3)

Why? Because tribulation is about being refined as gold. "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ!" (I Peter 1:7)

But there is much more that we need to understand. Tribulation works patience and patience, experience and experience, hope that maketh not ashamed "because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us ... for when ye were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:4-6)

He has quickened us who were dead in trespasses and sin into Christ (by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God) and has raised [us] up together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus; that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:1-9)

We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. We are no longer aliens from the commonwealth of Christ. (Ephesians 2:12)

Rather, now in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ, for He is our peace ... having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances ... for through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

"Now therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner [stone]; in whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord, in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:18-22)

So, as Paul said, we are going to appear as a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. Indeed, "we are fools for Christ's sake ... we are weak ... we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place, and labour, working with our own hands, being reviled, we bless, being persecuted, we suffer it, being defamed, we intreat." (I Corinthians 4:10-13)

Paul was writing to warn us against these afflictions that would come upon us as a consequence of becoming clothed for Jesus. What did he say?

Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us, and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. Wise in Christ, strong and honourable, and never wavering in our faith.

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; therefore, the world knows us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when He shall appear,, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is .... and every man that hath this hope in Him purifies himself, even as he is pure ...  [Jesus] ... He was manifested to take away our sins." (I John 3:1-6)

This is why Paul wanted no one to deceive you. We need to let the anointing which ye have received of Him abide in you and ye need not that any man teach you, but as the same anointing teach you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him." (I John 2:27-29)

Stand in the offering plate.