Note: This week's article is written by the BibleQuestions.Org webmaster, Jeff Cox, since Alan is temporarily unavailable.
Introduction. In this brief series, we noted that Christians often face spiritual challenges that are long and persistent: slow exposure to temptations and shifting cultural norms, growing weary in doing what is right, and/or taking God’s blessings for granted. In part 2, we observed both negative and positive examples of how people in the Bible responded to such sustained spiritual challenges. In this final part of our study, we will look at how we can better persist in the face of the spiritually prolonged.
Introduction. In this brief series, we noted that Christians often face spiritual challenges that are long and persistent: slow exposure to temptations and shifting cultural norms, growing weary in doing what is right, and/or taking God’s blessings for granted. In part 2, we observed both negative and positive examples of how people in the Bible responded to such sustained spiritual challenges. In this final part of our study, we will look at how we can better persist in the face of the spiritually prolonged.
How to Persist. Here are a number of ideas and scriptural encouragements that may help us on our long journey to heaven.
Think ahead. Perhaps the first thing we need to consider is realizing or “counting the cost” of becoming a Christian as Jesus warns in Luke 14. Too many religious groups today promote an easy (and false) path to salvation. Sometimes termed “Faith Only”, it essentially says all you have to do is come to Jesus, say the Sinner’s Prayer, and you will be saved regardless of what you do afterwards. A few groups may promote the correct path to salvation (believe + repent + confess Jesus’ deity + be immersed in water for the forgiveness of sins), but may not emphasize that is just the beginning of walking as a faithful Christian as a life-long commitment.
Another aspect of thinking “ahead” is to not look back. Jesus used the example of Lot’s wife to drive home this point (Luke 17:32; Gen. 19:26). Paul emphasized the same point in Phil. 3:13-14:
We can also think ahead to seek factors that motivate us to stay on the narrow road to eternal life (Matt. 7:13-14). One which the New Testament emphasizes heavily is the hope of heaven.
See also Matt. 5:10-12; Rom. 8:24; and Heb. 11.
Other motivating factors can include a sense of gratitude and love for God and Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins, setting a good example for our children and grandchildren, and being an example/encouragement for fellow Christians.
Study. Along with thinking ahead to count the cost, faithful Christians realize the importance of studying God’s word, not only to learn what to do, but also for encouragement.
Practice. Knowing what God’s word says and practicing it are two different things. Sometimes this involves setting aside things that hinder us, overcoming sinful habits, and building good ones (just like athletes must do to be successful in competitive, endurance sports):
Pay attention. Finally, don’t let your attitudes and behaviors drift off like a sleepy driver drifts off of the road. Stay awake for early warning signs like the following:
To this end, our website has a self-assessment aid to assist in paying attention and doing a self-reflection. You can find it under the “Lessons > Christian Living > Self-Assessment” menu item.
And the longest challenge of all. Ultimately, we need to persist for the greatest prolonged spiritual challenge of all – remaining faithful until death (or Jesus’ return) and standing before Him in judgment. As Jesus Himself clearly said:
Conclusion. The overall message of this short series is a simple one. Whether overcoming prolonged trials and temptation, not growing weary in doing what is right, and/or always being grateful for God’s abundant blessings, we need to “Be Persistent!” Because in the “marathon” of life with our eternal soul at risk, “failure is not an option”.
Think ahead. Perhaps the first thing we need to consider is realizing or “counting the cost” of becoming a Christian as Jesus warns in Luke 14. Too many religious groups today promote an easy (and false) path to salvation. Sometimes termed “Faith Only”, it essentially says all you have to do is come to Jesus, say the Sinner’s Prayer, and you will be saved regardless of what you do afterwards. A few groups may promote the correct path to salvation (believe + repent + confess Jesus’ deity + be immersed in water for the forgiveness of sins), but may not emphasize that is just the beginning of walking as a faithful Christian as a life-long commitment.
Another aspect of thinking “ahead” is to not look back. Jesus used the example of Lot’s wife to drive home this point (Luke 17:32; Gen. 19:26). Paul emphasized the same point in Phil. 3:13-14:
- “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
We can also think ahead to seek factors that motivate us to stay on the narrow road to eternal life (Matt. 7:13-14). One which the New Testament emphasizes heavily is the hope of heaven.
- “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, … If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard” (Col 1:5, 23)
- “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, … And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. … we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast,” (Heb. 6:10-19)
- “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” (Heb. 10:35-36)
See also Matt. 5:10-12; Rom. 8:24; and Heb. 11.
Other motivating factors can include a sense of gratitude and love for God and Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins, setting a good example for our children and grandchildren, and being an example/encouragement for fellow Christians.
Study. Along with thinking ahead to count the cost, faithful Christians realize the importance of studying God’s word, not only to learn what to do, but also for encouragement.
- “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Rom. 15:4)
- “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared … Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” (Titus 2:11-13)
Practice. Knowing what God’s word says and practicing it are two different things. Sometimes this involves setting aside things that hinder us, overcoming sinful habits, and building good ones (just like athletes must do to be successful in competitive, endurance sports):
- “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” (Heb. 12:1)
- “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints“ (Eph. 6:18)
- “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. … Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.“ (James 5:7-11)
Pay attention. Finally, don’t let your attitudes and behaviors drift off like a sleepy driver drifts off of the road. Stay awake for early warning signs like the following:
- Pride as Paul warns in 1 Cor. 10:1-13 (“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.“)
- Decay on our interest in Bible study, prayer, and relationships with fellow Christians
- Signs of weariness as Paul warns in Gal 6:9 (“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”) and 2 Thes. 3:13 (“But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.")
- Our attitudes especially during trials and tribulations per Rom. 5:3-4 (“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:”) and Heb. 10:32ff (“But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; … Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”)
To this end, our website has a self-assessment aid to assist in paying attention and doing a self-reflection. You can find it under the “Lessons > Christian Living > Self-Assessment” menu item.
And the longest challenge of all. Ultimately, we need to persist for the greatest prolonged spiritual challenge of all – remaining faithful until death (or Jesus’ return) and standing before Him in judgment. As Jesus Himself clearly said:
- “Be thou faithful until death and I will give you a crown of life.” Rev. 2:10
Conclusion. The overall message of this short series is a simple one. Whether overcoming prolonged trials and temptation, not growing weary in doing what is right, and/or always being grateful for God’s abundant blessings, we need to “Be Persistent!” Because in the “marathon” of life with our eternal soul at risk, “failure is not an option”.