The apostle calls believers to...
Illustration
The apostle calls believers to suffer, because it helps us to endure -- and endurance builds character, which brings hope.
Although they knew little of love as a motivator, the ancient Spartans had the endurance part down almost perfectly. Philip II, ruler of Macedonia and father of Alexander the Great, had great admiration for the durable Spartans. He subdued most of Greece and entered into alliances with all the city-states -- except remote and distrustful Sparta. Finding that diplomacy had no effect on their stubborn independence, Philip sent a threat: "You are advised to submit without further delay, for if I bring my army into your land, I will destroy your farms, slay your people, and raze your city." The Spartans replied, "If."
Philip considered their military prowess, and their resiliency, and decided to back off.
Although they knew little of love as a motivator, the ancient Spartans had the endurance part down almost perfectly. Philip II, ruler of Macedonia and father of Alexander the Great, had great admiration for the durable Spartans. He subdued most of Greece and entered into alliances with all the city-states -- except remote and distrustful Sparta. Finding that diplomacy had no effect on their stubborn independence, Philip sent a threat: "You are advised to submit without further delay, for if I bring my army into your land, I will destroy your farms, slay your people, and raze your city." The Spartans replied, "If."
Philip considered their military prowess, and their resiliency, and decided to back off.
