Chapter 13: Exhortations to the Saved

Congratulations! You made it to the last chapter of this book. This chapter is for all who are new in the kingdom of God or who are re-dedicating their lives to God and all who have been Christians but want more clarity on this way of life. This chapter is to urge you to keep on keeping on, no matter how many defeats you suffer. Our Lord sits as a refiner to refine us to be conformed to His image. This refining will sometimes be painful but remember that they who endure till the end shall be saved. At repentance we have started on the journey to salvation and throughout our walk with God, we are being saved every day, until we get to the Rest of God; that is our goal. Settle for nothing less than this. Only at rest can we finally say we have been saved to the uttermost. Until we get to this point, we are always in danger of turning back to the world or falling.

16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
Proverbs 24:16

You will also encounter nay-sayers. Those who will always remind you of your past sins, those who will never forgive you for the wrong that you have done them. Make restitution to all whom you have hurt and strive to please God. Do not be discouraged. Remember, there is one who accuses the brethren day and night, even the devil himself. Do not despair and do not doubt your salvation.

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Revelation 12:10

Abide in Christ by walking in love. Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.

38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Matthew 5:38-40

Study Matthew 5,6 and 7 and live by it. This is your new standard for living. Pray for your enemies. Bless them that curse you and despitefully use you. Seek the good of others, be the light shining in the darkness. Always shine the light. Strive to make your calling and election sure. Be fruitful in the Lord and multiply, abiding in Christ, for outside of Him, we can do nothing, even as a fish out of water is dead, so are we without Our Strength and Life.

Finally, I leave you with this last exhortation from Paul himself. May God bless you all. Amen, in Jesus’ name.

6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Colossians 2:6-14