Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.' For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don't fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?'” (Luke 18:1-8)
LESSON: All thoughts, suggestions, etc. to give up praying about certain things must be resisted. Those thoughts are from the devil, not God. The devil will bring thoughts of doubt, fear, discouragement, etc. Resist them and don't give up. Keep praying to God day and night, if necessary, and don't quit.
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we DO NOT GIVE UP. (Gal 6:7-9)
Paul taught Christians they must continue to sow to please the Spirit to reap eternal life. He also said don't become weary in doing good. In other words, just keep obeying God and remain faithful. You will reap eternal life, at the proper time, if you don't give up.
LESSON: The devil will tempt us with sin to interfere, if possible, with our sowing to please the Spirit of God. Again, resist the devil and continue to follow Jesus, and don't give up. This is a salvation issue and nothing less.
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Heb 10:25)
Christians are often encouraged when they meet with others of like precious faith. Since persevering and enduring are vital, we will need encouragement in our painful trails and struggles. Such can come, in part, when God-fearing, serious Christians meet together, but that doesn't have to be in a church building! Even in the days of the Apostles, not all meetings were good. Surprised? Some were actually harmful. One example is here:
In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. (1 Cor 11:17)
In our day, meetings which result in spiritual good are not an easy thing to find, since the current apostasy is so terrible and widespread, but meeting with other Christians is still important. Don't give up and don't quit praying, obeying and meeting with real Christians. You are battling for eternity! Don't give up!
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