THE FINISH LINE LIES AHEAD
Sakkie Parsons
Translated from the Afrikaans Version: ‘Die wenpaal lê voor’
Translator: Lynda Botha
With regards to something I wrote and shared with someone, the person responded and asked if I could elaborate on the “mountains” Christians sometimes have to face and need to climb. The mountains I am referring to here are the trials on the path of God’s children we sometimes have to face within this life.
I would like to start by saying:
To climb these kinds of mountains, which we as children of our Lord sometimes need to face, is not for the weak. Hence, we have enough witnesses from the Word of God, but although many of us are wise in the Word, we sometimes need one of our fellow Christians just to strengthen us again with the Word of God in this regard. Yes, so that one of our brothers or sisters can deflect our eyes from the steep and high cliffs which we are facing and remind us once again what our attitude should be in order for us to triumphantly cross this mountain before us.
Someone else said:
It is not only Christians crossing mountains and slopes, it comes on the paths of the non-Christians as well. That is of course true, but another factor is added for Christians – sin, which is not a problem for other humans in the world. Other humans are acclimatized and may even enjoy this factor while they climb over their slopes and mountains in this world.
The Christian, however, climbs the mountain in front of them and while they stumble up the hill, the terrible sun/sin burns down on them, which are the attacks of satan fuelled from hell. I know, I was there. Then as the Christians stagger and stumble over steep cliffs, another onslaught rises against us, the onslaught of the sun/sin, which is satan attacking, burning down on us and we must remain standing.
Then you sometimes get the child of God reaching for evil phantoms, or a "mirage" by throwing in the towel, for example like swallowing a whole bottle of sleeping pills or by putting a gun to your own head. But do you know?
It does not have to be that way.
Actually, it must not be that way at all.
You see, there's a difference between you, a child of God, climbing your mountain and the person from this world climbing their mountain. Though it is true that you still need to face everything that lies before you, even the sin, and the attacks from satan which you no longer enjoy because:
2 COR 5:17 “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
In an older translation this Scripture read as follows:
2 COR 5:17 “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are becoming new.”
Yes, it is true that you still need to face all that lies before you, even the sin, and the attacks of satan which you no longer enjoy, yet –
Your soul doesn’t have to stumble through the slopes with spiritual chapped lips and a swollen tongue because you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.
So, with this letter I would like to encourage and remind you of the following:
Although you may be already so blinded, confused and desperate with what you see in front of you, that you have completely forgotten that – You do not have to be spiritually tired.
Spiritually your lips shouldn’t be chapped, and your tongue not swollen, just look within the backpack of your heart…….
Do you remember child of God?
You who have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour –
JOHN 7:37 “On the last day, the climax of the festival Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to Me!”
JOHN 7:38 “Anyone who believes in Me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, “Rivers of living water will flow from His heart.”
Now I am not saying that the mountain in front of you will disappear. I still had to climb over all of mine, because the world is what it is, the Lord clearly said to us:
JOHN 16:33 “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on Earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
So, child of God, remember, that you are a child of our God.
Adjust your backpack again on your back, wipe the sweat from the exertion of this world from your eyes, so you can once again see clearly while you climb. And remember:
2 CORINTHIANS 4:8-9
8 “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed.
We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.”
9 “We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God.
We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.”
I leave you with the next few Scriptures in the Word of God.
Our Lord says in His Word that this applies to you and me:
With our eyes fixed on Jesus we will not lose heart.
HEB 12:1 “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.”
Do you remember?
Jesus said that He has already conquered the world.
Remember how He sweated blood at Gethsemane and how He became so frail that someone had to help carry His cross to Golgotha.
Do you remember His words as He hung on the cross?
JOHN 19:30 "…It is finished!” Then He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”.
And now we read:
HEB 12:2 “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 honour beside God’s throne.”
HEB 12:3 “Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.”
1 COR 9:26: “So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.”
Then! What a great and wonderful assurance our Lord has given us!
ROM 8:28: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”
Below I have pasted a link for a beautiful and uplifting song: "Is there a mountain" by Carroll Roberson for you to listen to:
Greetings,
Sakkie