shortlady
Member
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2005
- Messages
- 2,696
Perseverance
If you happen to remember, that last few Emails have all been about the 8 STEPS to successful Christian living, found in 2nd Peter Chapter 1. If you find yourself being a bit skeptical, then read the chapter for yourself! It says that if you practice these 8 STEPS, then you will become and effective, productive Christian. It even goes on to promise that those who do these things will never stumble and will receive a rich welcome into heaven! What an awesome perspective, if we will only believe... Today I'd like to take a deeper look at STEP 5 - Perseverance. Most of you, my readers, already know right from wrong. Many of us are struggling to develop the self control to always do what we know is right. And all of us could use some encouragement to, "Never lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will receive our reward."
Let me try and adjust your thinking for a moment here. Perseverance, or endurance, is not something you are meant to develop on your own. When the Bible uses these words, they are almost always in the context of community. We Christians are a team, a band of brothers, an army, and a family. We survive the tough storms of life by banding together and encouraging one another. We have a common goal of seeing Him and being transformed into His image. As Hebrews 12 so aptly puts it, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." God be with you all...
If you happen to remember, that last few Emails have all been about the 8 STEPS to successful Christian living, found in 2nd Peter Chapter 1. If you find yourself being a bit skeptical, then read the chapter for yourself! It says that if you practice these 8 STEPS, then you will become and effective, productive Christian. It even goes on to promise that those who do these things will never stumble and will receive a rich welcome into heaven! What an awesome perspective, if we will only believe... Today I'd like to take a deeper look at STEP 5 - Perseverance. Most of you, my readers, already know right from wrong. Many of us are struggling to develop the self control to always do what we know is right. And all of us could use some encouragement to, "Never lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will receive our reward."
Let me try and adjust your thinking for a moment here. Perseverance, or endurance, is not something you are meant to develop on your own. When the Bible uses these words, they are almost always in the context of community. We Christians are a team, a band of brothers, an army, and a family. We survive the tough storms of life by banding together and encouraging one another. We have a common goal of seeing Him and being transformed into His image. As Hebrews 12 so aptly puts it, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." God be with you all...
