Bottom Line
What should the older brother hear?
“Don’t get too comfortable! The world and everything in it is passing away. This is both good news and bad news:
- Good news, because we look forward to the fulfillment of God’s promise for us to be with him forever.
- Bad news, because it means there is an urgency in our mission to proclaim the Gospel. Time is running out! This can – and will – result in persecution for you. But if you persevere to the end, you will be saved!”
What should the younger brother hear?
“If you are in this with us, it will get scary! But you are not alone. Following Jesus isn’t easy, it will require a lot of you, and once you’re in, you’re in. You will be called to make sacrifices, and may even be persecuted or ridiculed, but it’s worth it. Our only hope is in Jesus. We need to wait joyfully in that hope, loving God and each other, and be ready for a struggle, knowing that one day we will meet Jesus face to face.
Hope has a name – His name is Jesus! Without him we have nothing. With him, we have everything.
Action Item
Pray for the courage to stand for your faith, and to persevere no matter what the cost may be.
Questions
Have you ever been targeted because of your faith, or for a moral position that you hold? What was it like? Did it help or hurt your relationship with Jesus?
Does a Christian need to worry about the end of the world? Why or why not?
