DIGGING DEEP NO. 906 – October 26th, 2021 CHRISTIAN ENDURANCE

Endurance is the Continuing Christian commitment in the face of difficulty. Born in a context of hostility, persecution, and the death of their Lord and His disciples, the endurance of Christians in the face of persecution and temptation underlies most of the New Testament. Pictorial athletic imagery was used to summon Christians to faithfulness as they prepared themselves for the race of life Rom 12:11-12; 1 Col 9:24-27; Heb 12:1-14. The repeated failures of Israel to maintain faithfulness to God in the exodus and at later times, provided the New Testament writers with forceful models of the nature of tragedy and unrealized hopes among God’s people. These examples supplied the raw materials for Paul and others to formulate clear warnings to Christians about turning or retreating from the way of faithfulness and authenticity of life  1 Cor 10:1-12; Heb 3:17-19 

While the warnings seem most severe in Hebrews  2:1-3; 5:11-6:8; 10:26-31  — a fact that has led many Christians to avoid reading the book their point is rooted in the firm conviction of the writer that with the power of Christ believers will be able to endure no matter what the circumstance 6:9-19; 10:35-39  and persevere to the end  12:1-2 

The early Christians, however, were not superhuman. They failed their Lord in times of persecution and temptation, just as Peter did during the dark days of the crucifixion John 18:10-11 John 18:15-18 John 18:25-27. But failure did not automatically mean their rejection in the manner of Israel’s failure in the wilderness. Peter’s restoration was for Christians a model of hope beyond painful denial  21:15-17. Yet restoration involved serious consequences. Reacceptance by Jesus and restoration for Peter meant he would have to endure to the point of death  21:18-19.

Endurance is a crucial aspect of a human’s response in faithfulness to the gracious, loving God who in giving Christ provides acceptance John 3:16 endurance, then, is an inherent part of authentic “believing” that is expected of every Christian. Inadequate believing withdraws in times of confusion  John 6:66, but true commitment endures by looking to Christ for the resources of life Because Christians like the authentic children of God in the Old Testament take human weakness seriously, they realize the crucial necessity of divine support. Thus, prayer becomes a vital part of the Christian pilgrimage  Matt 26:41 ; Acts 12:5 ; 14:23 ; Rom 12:12 ; 2 Col 1:11 ; Php 4:6 ; 1 Thess. 3:10 ; 1 Peter 4:7 . It is a key element in adequately arming the Christian for endurance in the battle against the forces of evil  Eph 6:18. That battle is a lifelong one. To finish the race by keeping the faith offers to the one who endures the anticipation of a reward that is symbolized in a “crown of righteousness”  2 Tim 4:1-8 

 God has made it plain that His people will at times meet suffering, hardship, persecution and other trials. Through their endurance, however, they will prove God’s faithfulness and develop true Christian character Rom 5:3-4; 2Co 1:6; 2Th 1:3-4; 2Ti 2:3-6; 2Ti 2:10-13; Heb 11:27; Jam 1:12

Endurance means that Christians will have to tolerate insults and injustice 1Co 6:7; 1Co 13:7; 2Ti 3:10-11; but through persistence in prayer and the inward work of the Holy Spirit, they will be able to rejoice through it all Rom 12:11-12; Gal 5:22. Endurance means that Christians must always persevere, no matter what the difficulties and temptations. They must maintain their faith in Christ firm to the end Mat 24:13; Eph 6:13; Heb 3:14; Heb 6:15; Rev 13:10

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Romans 15:4.   You can read story after story in the Bible of examples of people who faced impossibly difficult situations and still made the choice to keep moving forward in faith, without knowing what the outcome would be. Job did all the right things, but still faced heartbreakingly difficult situations and praised God in the midst of them. God greatly rewarded Job for his faith. Paul was imprisoned over and over again, beaten, shipwrecked and more and he still chose to praise God and continue His work. Jesus, of course, is the ultimate example of endurance. He did nothing wrong and still went through adversity, pain, and hardship…all for us.

There are so many more – David, Jacob, Abraham, Joseph, Jeremiah, Ruth, and countless others.

When you feel like quitting, find inspiration in these people talked about in the Bible who persevered in faith, clinging to hope every step of the way. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 

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, Hebrews 12:1 So, what’s making you want to give up? We serve a God who celebrates endurance and perseverance!

Keep your eyes on the lookout for where sin might have snuck in. The enemy is a master of using sin to discourage, disappoint, and destroy us. Remember you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.  Philippians 4:13