Adversity

In many respects, the Christian life is a life of testing. We can  expect trials because God, through adverse situations, takes  out of our lives things that are not pleasing to Him. But trials  should never be viewed as punishment. 

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of  various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith  produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its  full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking  in nothing. JAMES 1:2–4 

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance  produces character, and character produces hope. ROMANS 5:3–4 

And we know that for those who love God all things work  together for good, for those who are called according to  his purpose. ROMANS 8:28 

 “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I  return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be  the name of the Lord. … But he knows the way that I take; when  he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” JOB 1:21; 23:10 

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed,  but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken;  struck down, but not destroyed. 2 CORINTHIANS 4:8–9 

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting  away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this  light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal  weight of glory beyond all comparison. 2 CORINTHIANS 4:16–17 

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials  for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire  tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your  faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor  on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” 1 Peter 1:6-7, NLT (see also  Romans 4:16-21; Psalm 105:17-19) 

The Church

The Bible clearly states that believers should meet together  regularly for prayer, worship, teaching, fellowship, and mutual  encouragement. God never intended that we walk alone in  our faith. Involvement in a local church is vital to our growth  in Christ. 

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching  and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the  

prayers. ACTS 2:42 

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there  am I among them. MATTHEW 18:20 

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of  Christ. GALATIANS 6:2 

Let us … not [neglect] to meet together, as is the habit of  some, but [encourage] one another, and all the more as  you see the Day drawing near. HEBREWS 10:24–25 

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one  another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love  one another. By this all people will know that you are my  disciples, if you have love for one another. JOHN 13:34–35 

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists,  the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the  work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until  we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge  of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of  the stature of the fullness of Christ. EPHESIANS 4:11–13 

Witness

When we become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ,  we become responsible to tell others about Christ. There is no  greater privilege than sharing the love of God with your friends,  family, and neighbors.  

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so  that they may see your good works and give glory to  your Father who is in heaven. MATTHEW 5:16 

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always  being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks  you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it  with gentleness and respect. 1 PETER 3:15 

For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and  heard. … Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved,  you and your household. ACTS 4:20; 16:31 

[Jesus] said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you  fishers of men.” MATTHEW 4:19 

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come  upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and  in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. ACTS 1:8 

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making  his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of  Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:20

The Return of Jesus

We do not know the day or hour, but one day Jesus Christ is coming back again to take us to be with Him forever. The Scriptures  clearly tell us how we should live each day as we await His coming.  

The grace of God has appeared … training us to renounce  ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,  waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory  of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. TITUS 2:11–13 

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a  Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. PHILIPPIANS 3:20 

When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will  appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is  earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil  desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. COLOSSIANS 3:4–5 

And now, little children abide in him, so that when he  appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him  in shame at his coming. 1 JOHN 2:28 

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be  has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears  we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.  And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as  he is pure. 1 JOHN 3:2–3 

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe  also in me. In my Father’s house there are many rooms. If it  were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a  place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I  will come again and will take you to myself, that where I  am you may be also. JOHN 14:1–3