Refined In Suffering Well For His Glory.

God has never once left somebody in the condition they are found in. He transforms those who are humble, while the proud stay in their old ways and reject His refinement.

Romans 5:1/11

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (John 3:16/21). Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

• We have been taught for too long that to follow Jesus means we do so to 'have a better life' or to 'go to heaven', when in reality, to choose to follow Jesus comes with a cost. Not a bad cost, but a cost that requires we die to self, embrace what He has done, take His teachings seriously and make Him known to others, regardless of how they treat us in the process. To follow Jesus means to be willing to suffer well for His glory, through refinement, and through repentance.

• Tribulation is a very real and normal part of the life of a follower of Jesus IF they are faithful (2nd Timothy 3:12). If anybody tells you otherwise, they are either lying to you, or they are simply immature in their walk and have avoided hard things for the sake of compromise and denying integrity. Many folks out there today who profess Jesus with their mouths, have supposed 'fruit' that is artificial around others, but behind closed doors? They are hypocrites and whitewashed tombs.

• We have TRUE PEACE with Christ Jesus if we trust His work on the cross, and in us while we follow Him. If we only place our hope in a prayer said once in a church, but have no real relationship, refinement and change, then we will have simply gone along with conformed religion in a world that continues to hate Him and not take the truth seriously, nor the walk with Him as life and death (Matthew 7:21/23).

"Whoever puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not worthy of Me..."