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Theme: THE TRIAL OF OUR FAITH
Text: “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope.” – Romans 5:3, 4.
Comment: One of the virtues that faithful worshippers of God imbibe from enduring persecutions is patience, as stated in the text for today. Patience is a vital quality that all children of God must imbibe in course of serving God. Christ our Lord and Savior exhorted: “In your patience possess ye your souls.” (Luke 21:19) This means that the quality of being patient or longsuffering is vital to obtaining salvation.
We are further enjoined in the Scriptures; “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” (1 Peter 5:10) This shows that the suffering that God’s children will pass through, at the instance of the devil, is just for a while. Thereafter, the assurance of God’s manifold blessings is guaranteed by His grace – only if we maintain the faith continually till the end. Jesus Christ declared: “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” – Matthew 24:12,13.