The life of the child of God is not free of hardship, trial, and tribulation, but it is, by far, the best life one can live. Your neighbors, in this secular, fleshly-oriented world, may doubt and deny such a statement, but in view of "the end of the pathway" it is gloriously true.

Take Moses as an example. Of course Moses was not a "Christian" since he lived before Christ, but he is a splendid example of why you and I should live the life of obedience today. Hebrews 11:24-26 vividly explains how Moses chose to suffer with the people of God rather than enjoy the "pleasures of sin for a season." Moses accounted the treasures of Egypt worthless and took instead the reproach of scoffers with the children of God. Why? Was Moses a fool for so doing?

Why would Moses leave all the vast treasure and luxury of Egypt in order to suffer with the people of the Lord God? Would you have done what Moses did? When we answer these penetrating questions we will also have answered why individuals today become Christians and suffer for Jesus. The latter part of Hebrews 11:26 is our answer: "for he looked unto the recompense of reward."

Yes, Moses chose to suffer as a child of God because he saw the end result of this life of righteousness compared with the end result of the wicked and pleasurable life of sin. What is the end result of the pathway you are now traveling? Though we may enjoy "pleasures of sin for a season," eternal condemnation awaits such at the end of that pathway (Rev. 21:8). But the end of the journey for the faithful Christian is a mansion in the Father's house (Jn. 14:13; Rev. 22:14).

It is the same today as it was during the time of Moses. Obey God and be blessed; disobey God and be damned. Individuals become and remain loyal children of God because they can look to the end result of this blessed life contrasted with the final result of a life of unbelief and disobedience (Rom. 6:23).

The father in heaven wants every sinner to become His child through gospel obedience. He desires none to perish, but all to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). Only as a Christian can one give glory to God. There is only one way to eternal life and that is Jesus (Jn. 14:6) and when I follow Jesus I will willingly submit to His Word (Lk. 6:46).

May we all with unfeigned faith look for "the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God" and yearningly "desire a better country, that is, a heavenly" (Heb. 11:10,16). What is it all about? Heaven. . . at the end of the pathway. "Make your calling and election sure" (2 Pet. 1:10) because eternity is getting closer with every breath you take.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 9, p. 275
May 1, 1986