In Philippians 3:10 Paul speaks of sharing the sufferings of Christ. The entire Christian life includes all kinds of struggles. Challenges of faith range from outright physical persecution to verbal attacks, and extend even to the daily temptations of the devil that we have to painfully fight. If you have been a Christian for a few years you know it’s not a cakewalk; and the longer you’re a Christian the less attachment you have to this life and the more allurement there is to be with Jesus in glory. Paul had the desire to depart this life and be with Christ because he knew it was better than anything this life had to offer (Philippians 1:21-23). The longer we live as Christians on earth the more we know that there is too much to gain to lose. So we look forward with real, living hope to that day when we will be set free from the struggles, trials and temptations of this life and rejoice with the Lord in eternal glory. So stay the course pilgrim – you’ve come too far to quit now. Read Hebrews 11:13-16; 12:1-2 and listen to a heart-warming bluegrass song entitled Too Much to Gain to Lose by Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver.

Hebrews 11:13-16

All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country which they left, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.