Where do you stand pt.2/4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

Where do you stand amongst us? What place do you take within the Ecclesia? Every warrior, myself included, must ask themselves this. Do we hold fast when we come against adversity, trials, and temptations? We must, so that we can be entire and lacking nothing. At the end our desire should be to hear from our King, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

The persecuted church

Revelation 2:8-11 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;  

He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

This is one of two letters in which nothing bad is said of the church. We are not promised that we will be spared persecution. Quite the opposite in fact. Many times it is said the Body of Christ will be persecuted, even put to death for the name of our King. Notice that even though, to the outside world they appear low and lacking, Christ says they are rich. If you find yourself amongst this rank, I encourage you this day to hold fast. Lives will be changed, and the Spirit will move. Continue to sow seed, and free the captive. Your day of triumph is coming. Consider it pure joy, you will be made complete.

"If death is victory, How afraid of life can we be."-Oh sleeper