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REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “Through it all.” The phrase “Through it all” means to persevere through a difficult time, maintaining resilience and overcoming adversity. We shall reflect on the fact that, through it all, salvation must be our ultimate goal. In other words, we must keep our eyes on salvation as our ultimate goal for enduring all the hardships and challenges on account of our faith in Jesus Christ.

Beloved in the Lord, our purpose or aim for enduring suffering or hardship on account of our faith in Jesus Christ is to win the prize of salvation. In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul defends his apostleship against false apostles by sarcastically “boasting” about his own suffering and weaknesses, contrasting it with their deceptive practices. In 2 Corinthians 11:24-33, He lists his extensive hardships for Christ, such as beatings, imprisonments, and shipwrecks among others as proof of his authenticity. One would simply ask why would Paul would elect or choose to endure all these hardships just to preach the Gospel? He boldly gives us the answer in his letter to the Philippian church when he wrote, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14) In other words, Paul went through it all just to win the prize of salvation. This fact is further confirmed in his letter to Timothy when he wrote, “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day —and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6-8)

Dear friend, you must have a reason for going through it all or persisting in suffering for Christ. There must be a reason for your suffering in the world on account of your faithfulness, truthfulness and integrity in Christ. Indeed, you must have a reason for enduring hardship for preaching Christ and obeying His word among corrupt, wicked and unrepentant people. We must have a strong reason and motivation for enduring the vindictiveness, sabotage, hatred and envy from superiors and colleagues at work, fellow church members and even family members. We are greatly encouraged in 1 Peter 2:19-20 that “… it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.” For those of us who are ready to go through it all for Jesus, He has assured us that, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12)

In summary, we have discovered that through it all, salvation in Jesus Christ must be our ultimate goal. We must focus on our salvation, especially in times of challenges or adversities, because our ultimate goal for going through it all is to have eternal life through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus. Shalom.

PRAYER

May the Holy Spirit empower us to go through it all for Jesus and our reward of eternal life. Amen.