Endure Hardness

“Thou therefore endure hardness,

as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

2 Timothy 2.3

The following is adapted from “A Soft and Effeminate Christianity” by Horatius Bonar, Scottish pastor, poet and songwriter, 1808-1889.

“There is some danger of falling into a soft and effeminate Christianity, under the plea of a lofty and ethereal theology. Christianity was born for endurance; not an exotic, but a hardy plant, braced by the keen wind; not languid, nor childish, nor cowardly.  It walks with strong step and erect frame; it is kindly, but firm; it is gentle, but honest; it is calm, but not facile; obliging, but not imbecile; decided, but not churlish.

It does not fear to speak the stern word of condemnation against error, nor to raise its voice against surrounding evils, under the pretext it is not of this world; it does not shrink from giving honest reproof, lest it come under the charge of displaying an unchristian spirit.

It calls sin sin, in whomsoever it is found, and would rather risk the accusation of acting in a bad spirit than not do its duty.

The religion of both Old and New Testaments is marked by fervent testimonies against evil.  To speak smooth things in such a case may be sentimentalism, but it is not Christianity.”

Today it is still true – there are many within the world of professing Christianity who having fallen into a soft and effeminate type of “worship”.

This type of religion, or church or worship is not found in the Bible.  Should we be gracious?  Yes, but not condescending.  Meek?  Yes, but not weak.  Kind?  Yes, but not cowardly.  “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16.13)

Run with patience,

     Pastor