Perseverance



The Bible tells us that this life will not be easy. Christians, especially, can count on going through hurdles, trials and tribulation. Even Jesus had to endure through sorrow, rejection, pain and temptation. Jesus wept upon seeing Mary's grief after Lazarus died. He was rejected three times by someone who claimed to love Him. He was beaten and mocked by the authorities and had to deal with Satan actively trying to get Him to turn from God.

How did Jesus deal with all this? How did He persevere when life got difficult? If we turn to John 11 we can see how He dealt with His grief, "And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, 'Father I thank You that You have heard Me. I knew that You always hear Me, but I said this on account of the people standing around that they may believe that You sent Me.'' (John 11:41b-42). So we see that prayer is where we start.

In Matthew 4 we can read about how Satan actively pursued Jesus and tried to tempt Jesus to turn from God. Jesus quashed Satan's attempts by quoting scripture. Knowing God's Word can equip you and give you strength to fight against temptation. 

When faced with arrest, beating and death, Jesus went away to pray in solitude, asking that this might pass but ultimately trusting in God's will. (See Mark 14:32-42 and Matthew 26:36-45). Once again, Jesus called on the Father in prayer and trusted God's plan.

In John 18 we can read about how Peter denied knowing Jesus not once, not twice, but three times! One of Jesus' own disciples lied about knowing Him! That rejection must have hurt but Jesus dealt with this hurt in love. After His resurrection Jesus came to Peter and asked him three times if he loved Him. He didn't get angry or shun Peter, but, in love, He gave Peter the opportunity to make things right. (John 21:15-21). When faced with opposition we too should show love. Luke 6:29 says, "To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either." Showing love to one another is something we should strive for.

Looking at Jesus' life can teach us how to persevere, but why must we persevere? Jesus persevered through all these things by prayer, scripture and trusting in God's Will. He endured all these things and more, so that we might be freed from sin and have eternal life! The Bible says, "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him." (James 1:12). 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 says, "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison."

What we endure, here and now, has a purpose. God uses our trials to shape us, as it says in Romans 5:3-5, "We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." We suffer in this life to mold us into what God wants and with a view to eternal life!

Another reason for perseverance is to live as a godly example for those around you. As Christians, the Bible tell us to persevere with a Christ-like attitude because our actions and words may win others for Christ. We can see this calling in 1 Peter 2:12 where it says, "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

We must persevere in faith, in pursuit of godliness, in prayer, in love and in Spiritual growth because God asks us to. He doesn't just ask this of us, He also gives us what we need; as it says in Isaiah 40:31, "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

By looking at Jesus life we saw how He was able to persevere; however, there's a key difference; Jesus was God. He lived perfectly and we can only follow His example because God gives us what we need. The world would have you believe that you can find strength in yourself but the Bible says the opposite! The Bible tells us to lean not on our own understanding, but in all we do, to acknowledge God and He will make straight our path. (Proverbs 3:5-6). Studying God's Word helps us to know Him, and through Him we are strengthened. We persevere, not by our own abilities but by the work of the Holy Spirit, through Christ Jesus, by God's grace. When we struggle we can look to Jesus, not only as our example, but as the source of our strength. When we look to God's Word we are arming ourselves with the gospel, and God gives us the Holy Spirit to work in us. Joshua 1:9 says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Alistair Begg put it beautifully when he said, "Perseverance is more like the preservation of the saints, by God!" According to God's mercy we are saved from a life of hopelessness. He grants us an eternal inheritance and we are kept and shielded by God's power. What a comfort to know that we are able to persevere because God keeps us safe in His care. He gives us all we need to make it through, as it says in Philippians 4:19, "And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." J.I. Packer once said, "You are not strong enough to fall away, while God is resolved to hold you." We will persevere to the end, secure in our salvation because God has us safely kept in His Hands.

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