The End of a thing is better than it Beginning
Ecclesiastes 7:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
The begining of a journey is always beautiful, but its end is most beautiful. Considering a student who just got admitted into the higher college, such student will be filled with so much enthusiasm, but that's just the begining of a journey, it does not mean he/she has succeeded yet. But the day of graduation is always full of joy and happiness because that day is a day of success and an end to the journey of a timed academic era.
To begin with God is not always a success story, even though there is joy in heaven for a soul that repent from his/her sin, but there is greater joy and happiness in heaven for any soul that ended his/her in Christ and made heaven.
Judas Started a beautiful journey with Christ, he was called by Christ like every other disciples, but never graduated to be an Apostle. He was among those Christ sent out in twos, whom He gave power over evil spirits.
He performed miracles like every other disciples, He was among those who brought testimonies of the power of God back to Jesus Christ, he was even one of the executives in Christ's ministry... But he didn't end well... What gain is His journey with Christ?
Your joy should not only be that you are In Christ now, but greatest joy should be that you will end with Him.
To maintain your stand in christ till the end, then you must be consistent with Him till the end
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Just as Christ started the journey of the redemption of our soul, who endured every persecution, pain, despising, shame and death, but maintain focus with God, so also we must keep looking unto that Jesus Christ in constant meditation in His words, having strong faith In Him and maintaining total obedience to His commands.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
The journey may not be straight and smooth as expected, but as long as you trust in the Lord with all your heart, without depending on your common sense or human knowledge, then He will bring you to the perfect destination He desires for you.
Though you have a wonderful salvation story, but with the life you are loving, how confident are you that you will end well?
If the troubles of life and persecution of faith arises against you, how confident are you that you will end your life in Christ?
To end well with Christ is the greatest joy any believer could have.
As a minister of God, you may perform all manner of signs and wonders, you may have the biggest fellowship center, you may have the largest crowd of worshippers, but that should not be your joy yet, your joy would be that you will end with Christ.
Strive to have a glorious end with God, the journey is not for the swift, Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Be watchful and vigilant.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
God bless you.
Prayer key:
1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of today in Jesus Christ name.
2. Lord, help me to end my life with you in Jesus Christ name.
3. Lord, give me the grace to continually trust you through out the journey of my life in Jesus Christ name.
4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. AMEN.