Aspects of Endurance

Summary: If we lived a life of constant health, wealth, and happiness, we would become weak and ineffective Christians, assuming we were somehow capable of maintaining our relationship with Jesus.

By Lucy Paynter

Aspects of Endurance

Of course, the need for enduring does not mean we adopt a persecuted-prophet perspective or conduct ourselves so zealously that we induce hardships. It does one no good to manufacture hardships so that they can practice endurance. The endurance Christ repeatedly urges Christians to demonstrate is our maintaining faith and service in the face of difficulties and opposition. We must remember that we are talking about endurance that leads to our achieving perfection, which brings us to the fact that we must fully understand the scriptural meaning of endure. To this end, let us examine a few facts about endurance.

a. Need for Endurance

All true Christians are in a relationship with Jesus where we labor to mature through obedience to Jesus' teaching and through fulfillment of our ministry of reconciliation. It is a tough mission, and we have need of endurance, so that when we have done the will of God, we may receive what is promised (Hebrews 10:36). If we do not endure, we do not receive what is promised.

b. Examples of Endurance We Can Follow

We have the example of suffering and patience exhibited by the Old Testament prophets (James 5:10-11). We can also look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who endured the cross so that we might live (Hebrews 12:2). Then we have the example of the Apostles, those in the early church, those throughout history, and our brothers and sisters suffering in distant lands today.

c. Our Endurance is Being Witnessed

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1). We are not alone in our hardships. God and a multitude of spiritual beings know what we are going through, and they are rooting for us.

d. Rejoice in the Need for Endurance

As strange as it sounds, we should be glad that we have an opportunity to endure hardships. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:1-5). Every hardship we endure should move us closer to being the kind of disciple Jesus wants us to be; and, the closer we get to Jesus, the more peace and joy we will have in our life.

e. Share the Suffering of Others

The body of Christ exists so that we do not have to experience suffering all by ourselves. We are to share one another's suffering, and through this sharing, we enhance our ability to endure. We are to share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:3). This is another reason it is so vital that we belong to a fellowship of kindred souls who love and labor for one another.

f. Endure for Our Salvation

Few Christians understand how important it is to our salvation and our heavenly rewards for us to remain in Christian faith and service to Jesus. Our relationship with Jesus is totally dependent on our love for Jesus; and our love for Jesus is in direct proportion to our obedience to Jesus; and our salvation is totally dependent on our relationship with Jesus. Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him (James 1:12). You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved (Matthew 10:22). At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved (Matthew 24:10-13). Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you (1 Timothy 4:16).

We Must Not Fail to Endure

Most assuredly, Jesus has given us an abundant life; perhaps not exactly what the world calls abundant, but certainly abundant from a Christian perspective. Still, we must accept the fact we live in a fallen world ruled by Satan; and thus, we can neither escape experiencing the evils of this world, nor can we avoid God's testing the quality of our devotion by letting us experience reality. In all of this, the mark of a true Christian is the fact that we do not let the hard times damage our faith—we endure. For it is through our endurance that we sustain the hope of eternity in Jesus Christ. Every Christian needs to remember that there is no turning back. Once we have set our hand to the plow in service to Christ, we must endure the struggles and continue forward (Luke 9:62). We need to remember that Israel was God's chosen people, but when they failed to obey, they were broken off from the vine that is Jesus Christ. Now if God did not spare His chosen people when they rejected Jesus, what do you think He will do to a gentile that does not bear fruit in keeping with repentance? He will cut off all those who do not continue in His kindness (Romans 11:19-22). We all need to take care not to let an evil, unbelieving heart in any of us, which would lead us to fall away from the living God. Our salvation depends on our enduring hardships and holding onto our original confidence, firm to the end (Hebrews 3:12-14). Therefore, let us strengthen and encourage one another to endure the many tribulations we must face if we are to enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).

There you have it: an abundant life does not negate the need for our exhibiting endurance. Endurance leads to Christian perfection, and thus you cannot be a mature Christian without enduring hard times. And, in my opinion, you cannot build in gold, silver, and precious stone without enduring hard times. I am of the belief that many will fail to enter the kingdom of God for the lack of endurance, and some will enter into heaven naked and smoking like a rained-on chicken because their endurance was weak (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). [Processed]