by Pastor Afolabi Oladele

Continuing from our admonition of Wednesday, there’s a song we sang growing up in this faith with the following words:

Yes, His love takes good care of me (2ce),

whether the rain falls,

the wind blows,

the storm is on the sea,

Yes, His love takes good care of me

That love also demands fruitfulness of me, and that’s the reason for John 15:2b, 5 and in particular, as expressed in Hebrews 12:1-6, His holiness.

He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more…Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:2,5 NLT).

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,

“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
    and don’t give up when he corrects you.
For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
    and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” (Hebrews 12:1-6 NLT).

Only those conformed to His nature and image can and will stand near Him and not be consumed! Be of good cheer, greater things beyond your imagination are ahead if you will endure. Blessings.