I know. As Christians, we're in the minority, persecuted. Our message is ridiculed. We're made fun of. We're treated as ignorant and gullible. While other religions of the world are protected from "hate crimes" and comments, it's open season on those of us who believe in Jesus. And it's not fair.

No kidding. I hate to tell you, but it's always been that way, and it always will. As a matter of fact, we have it pretty cushy. It's going to get whole lot worse. Never mind believers around the world who are being martyred for their faith, Matthew 24 talks about all kinds of things we're going to witness before Jesus comes back:

False prophets deceiving multitudes v. 5; 11.
Wars v. 6.
Famines, pestilences, and earthquakes (v. 7).
Tribulation, murder, hatred by all nations for His name's sake (v. 9).
Offense, betrayal, and hatred (v. 10).
Lawlessness. Love grown cold (v. 12).

But then we read our marching orders in the midst of all this: "He who endures to the end shall be saved" (v. 13).

The original Greek meaning of the word "endures" helps us understand what we must do:
To hold one's ground in conflict.
To bear up against adversity.
To hold out under stress.
To stand firm.
To persevere under pressure.
To wait calmly and courageously.

This kind of endurance is not passive resignation to fate and mere patience, but active, energetic resistance to defeat that allows calm and brave endurance. Your life and mine has not yet been threatened because of our belief in Jesus, but the time could come when that will happen.

Meanwhile, we need to practice and be in good shape. When we watch people at the workplace make fun of our conservative beliefs. When we see and hear the media ridicule us. When we witness demeaning comments about our stand . . .

It's time to practice active, energetic resistance to defeat that allows calm and brave endurance. The more we work out now in this manner, the better prepared we'll be when harder times come. And the more we work out now, the greater testimony we'll be now. To live out the life energetically that offers love, hope and light in a dark world.

Believe me, there's method in all this madness. God's method. He's getting ready to send His Son for us, and He's asking you and me to endure well until He comes. Hang in there.

I think I can do that. What about you?