enduring faith...

Endurance is important to our spiritual journey... our spiritual life... our salvation...

"Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves...

But the one who endures to the end will be saved. ..." ---Jesus

Matthew 10:16... 22 ESV

Between verse 16 and 22 of Matthew 10... Jesus lists many of the things His sheep will have to endure from the wolves of this world... He also tells us the purpose for sending Believers out into such a dangerous world... we are sent as His witnesses to an unbelieving world...

But the one who does endure to the end... he is the one who is saved...

endure... to undergo (as a hardship) especially without giving in: suffer... to regard with acceptance or tolerance... to continue in the same state: last... to remain firm under suffering or misfortune without yielding....

---Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (11th Ed.)

 The author of Hebrews tells us one way to endure...

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.

Hebrews 12:2-3

Jesus endured... and we are to consider Him... look to Him... fix our eyes on Him... so we will not grow weary and lose heart...

I'm finding the more I look to Jesus... the less I look to the world for comfort... peace... security...

The more I look to Jesus... the more I loosen my grip on the things of this world...

I'm beginning to see... eyes fixed on Jesus... and a loose grip on the things of the world... lead to enduring faith... the faith that saves...

What do you have a tight grip on...?

Is there something you need to be willing to let go...? in order to get a firmer grasp on Jesus...?

It is only in Him... the Author and Perfecter of your faith... you will find the ability to endure...

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.

Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God

has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12

thoughts spurred by finishing...

Today... the reading through... finished for the year...

Ending with Revelation... led to thoughts of... suffering... endurance...

This means that God's holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful.

Revelation 13:10 NLT

This means that God's holy people must endure 

persecution patiently, obeying his commands 

and maintaining their faith in Jesus.

Revelation 14:12 NLT

Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!

Revelation 14:13 NLT

Suffering... endurance... it's required... in these end times...

Thoughts turned to a startling passage heard recently in an audio-book...

A man I know was one of the few doctors who specialized in his area in Ethiopia at a time when Christians were often persecuted there. Because of his medical specialty, he was well-known and carefully watched and sometimes privileged. Because of his faith, he was in prison several times. The small church he was part of was vibrant. They shared everything. When they gathered for worship, with shades drawn, their joy was intense. Their knowledge of the details of each others' lives was far deeper than I have seen in any churches I know of in the United States. They lived in constant danger of arrest. There was no such thing in their world as a nominal Christian; that would be like becoming a nominal chain saw juggler. ...

I talked with this doctor about the government. I said that he must pray often for the persecution and suffering to stop. He asked me with no apparent irony, "Why should I pray to be relieved of suffering?" I could not think of a good answer.

--- John Ortberg, Who Is This Man?  (emphasis added)

Suffering... endurance... is it to be... embraced... welcomed...?

The Greek... hupomone... translated... endure persecution patiently... means... steadfastness... constancy... in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings...

This word (hupomone) also found in... 

And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent the honest, good-hearted people who hear God's word, cling to it, and patiently (hupomone) produce a huge harvest.

Luke 8:15 NLT

By standing firm (hupomone), you will win your souls.

Luke 21:19 NLT

He will give eternal life to those who keep on (hupomone) 

doing good, seeking after the glory and honor 

and immortality that God offers.

Romans 2:7 NLT

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance (hupomone).

Romans 5:3 NLT

Endurance... suffering... produces a huge harvest... wins your soul... gains eternal life... enables us to receive trials with joy...

Endurance... suffering... it is necessary... to spiritual growth... but to receive it... embrace it... with joy... that is a world-view shift... counter to culture... upside down... from the way of the world...

As I anticipate the journey... into the next year... with a heart to keep the Babe in the manger at the center... I see where the revelation of His vulnerability... leads to the acceptance... of suffering... and... endurance...

A son asked me today... about a physical state... one I've suffered with for three years now... and most likely will endure as long as I inhabit this earthly tent...

Is it easier... than it was...?

Honestly... I had to reply... No... it's harder... it's wearing...

And I see where I need to change my thoughts about this physical challenge... as minimal as it is compared to the challenges of so many of others... I still whine... on occasion... 

So endurance... suffering... of any kind... should be seen as a gift... and reminders set in place... in order to remember... for those who endure... it all leads to good... and His glory...

A world-view shift... for the new year... Why should I pray to be relieved of suffering?

For even Christ didn't live to please himself. 

...

And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement 

as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled.

Romans 15:3-4 NLT