Rom 5:3-5
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Jam 1:2-4
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have [its] perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Perseverance is not something that is unattainable. It is not some trait that we can find in the GREAT CHRISTIANS of old and can’t get in our life here in 2010. However, I will warn you. Having perseverance takes guts. Why? Because perseverance is a trait acquired after trials, tribulation, and hard times.
per•se•ver•ance / [pur-suh-veer-uhns]
–noun
1.steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
The first word in that definition catches my eye. Steady. It reminds me of Pastor Todd’s message on not being a wave graph going up and down, but actually having a steady incline with your walk with God.
Being steady. Being consistent. A steady, consistent, unshaken persistence in a course of action or purpose. In spite of difficulties!
And to know that our continuing on in spite of troubles builds character inside of us and character gives us hope. That’s incredible!
While contemplating perseverance, a historical event comes to mind that I read about recently.
Somewhere around 300-400 AD, a man was going to be martyred for being a Christian. Though he faced death (which I would consider quite a trial!), he stood strong for Christ. They tied a stone around his neck and threw him into a river. All on-lookers were shocked as the man did not sink but actually floated!!! The man proceeded to speak to all those watching – not just speaking but preaching! He closed with a prayer about the goodness and power of God and then he gave himself to God saying he was ready to die for his faith. When he finished praying, the man sank and died. (See Foxe’s Book of Martyrs for this story and more.)
These are the kind of people – our great cloud of witnesses – who are cheering us on in Heaven! (see Hebrews 12:1-2). If THEY, who were weak, broken, but devoted vessels of God, can persevere, than WE, who are weak, broken, but devoted vessels of God, can persevere. God gives us strength in every circumstance. Having done all – we must stand. (see Ephesians 6:13).
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Jam 1:2-4
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have [its] perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Perseverance is not something that is unattainable. It is not some trait that we can find in the GREAT CHRISTIANS of old and can’t get in our life here in 2010. However, I will warn you. Having perseverance takes guts. Why? Because perseverance is a trait acquired after trials, tribulation, and hard times.
per•se•ver•ance / [pur-suh-veer-uhns]
–noun
1.steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
The first word in that definition catches my eye. Steady. It reminds me of Pastor Todd’s message on not being a wave graph going up and down, but actually having a steady incline with your walk with God.
Being steady. Being consistent. A steady, consistent, unshaken persistence in a course of action or purpose. In spite of difficulties!
And to know that our continuing on in spite of troubles builds character inside of us and character gives us hope. That’s incredible!
While contemplating perseverance, a historical event comes to mind that I read about recently.
Somewhere around 300-400 AD, a man was going to be martyred for being a Christian. Though he faced death (which I would consider quite a trial!), he stood strong for Christ. They tied a stone around his neck and threw him into a river. All on-lookers were shocked as the man did not sink but actually floated!!! The man proceeded to speak to all those watching – not just speaking but preaching! He closed with a prayer about the goodness and power of God and then he gave himself to God saying he was ready to die for his faith. When he finished praying, the man sank and died. (See Foxe’s Book of Martyrs for this story and more.)
These are the kind of people – our great cloud of witnesses – who are cheering us on in Heaven! (see Hebrews 12:1-2). If THEY, who were weak, broken, but devoted vessels of God, can persevere, than WE, who are weak, broken, but devoted vessels of God, can persevere. God gives us strength in every circumstance. Having done all – we must stand. (see Ephesians 6:13).
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