THE SEED
”…and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,“ Romans 5:4 ESV
Apostle Paul expressed its importance in character development in the opening scripture and the Bible reading below. In his words, we have an understanding that endurance as a virtue builds our proven character of being faithful, truthful and reliable to our calling. And our proven character gives us hope in Christ that never fails. Also, in endurance, we receive the promise of the Lord’s coming and His good promises for our lives. Furthermore, endurance also builds and produces spiritual maturity and stability in us. It builds and increases our resistance to give in to the lies of the devil through trials and challenges of life. It enhances our mental stability and focus on Christ. Above all, endurance gives an ultimate reward according to Apostle James “Blessed is the one who endures trials, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life.” This golden testament was validated by Apostle Paul in his letter to Timothy when he was about to leave this world, he said, ”I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, …“ So, beloved of Christ, as we endure life’s challenges, let’s keep our eyes on the eternal prize as well as build the physical and mental stability and tenacity that come from endurance to live a victorious life.
BIBLE READINGS: Hebrews 10:32-37
PRAYER: Lord, help me to enjoy the benefits and rewards of endurance in my Christian race. Amen
ERE IFARADA
IRUGBIN NAA
”…, ìfaradà sì ń mú ìwà jáde, ìhùwàsí sì ń mú ìrètí jáde,” Róòmù 5:4
Àposítélì Poọ̀lù sọ pàtàkì rẹ̀ nínú ìdàgbàsókè ìwà nínú ẹsẹ ìwé mímo tí ó bẹ̀rẹ̀ àti Bibeli kíkà nísàlẹ̀. Nínú àwọn ọ̀rọ̀ rẹ̀, a ní òye pé ìfaradà gege bí ìwà rere ni o ń gbé iwa wa duro sinsin gege bi olóòóto, onígbàgbo ati eni ti o se fokan tan ni ìpè wa. Iwa ti a fihan fun wa ni ireti ninu Kristi ti kii kuna. Pẹlupẹlu, ninu ifarada, a gba ileri ti wiwa Oluwa ati awọn ileri rere Rẹ fun igbesi aye wa. Síwájú sí i, Ìfaradà tún ń gbé ìdàgbàdénú tẹ̀mí àti ìdúróṣinṣin jáde nínú wa, ó sì ń mú wa dàgbà. O mu ki ìfaradà wa pọ si lati koju si awọn idojuko ti eṣu nipasẹ awọn idanwo ni igbesi aye. Ó ń mú kí ironu opolo wa dúróṣinṣin àti ìgbekele wa sórí Kristi pọ̀ sí i. Ju gbogbo rẹ̀ lọ, ìfaradà máa ń fúnni ní èrè tí ó ga julo gege bí Aposteli Jakọbu ti wí “ibukun ni fun ẹni tí ó bá fara da iponju, nítorí nígbà tí ó bá ti dúró nínú ìdánwò, yóò gba adé ìyè.” Oro otito yi ni Aposteli Poolu jeri si ninu ikowe re si Timotiu nigba ti o fe fi aye yi sile nigba ti o sope: “mo ti ja ija rere, mo ti pari ere ije naa mo ti pa ìgbàgbo mo”. Lati isisiyi lọ a fi ade ododo lelẹ fun mi, ….” Nítorí náà, ẹ̀yin olùfe Kristi, bí a ti ń fara da àwọn ìpèníjà ìgbésí-ayé, ẹ je kí a fi ojú wa sí ẹ̀bùn ayérayé náà, bákannáà kí a gbé ìdúróṣinṣin ti ara àti ti èrò-orí àti ìdúróṣinṣin tí ń wá láti inú ìfaradà láti gbé ìgbésí-ayé ìṣegun.
BIBELI KIKA: Hébérù 10:32-37
ADURA: Olúwa, ràn mí lowo láti gbádùn àwọn àǹfààní àti èrè ìfaradà nínú eré ìje Kristẹni mi. Amin