Sustained - Preparing for Spiritually Prolonged (part 2)
Introduction. In part 1, we observed that many adverse things can happen slowly in our physical lives or that sustained effort is necessary in order to be successful. As a result, there is much wisdom behind various admonitions to be persistent. We noted the same could be said about our spiritual lives as well with prolonged exposure to sinful temptations, growing weary in doing good, and/or taking God’s blessings for granted. While people easily recognize the need for periodic maintenance of our possessions or persistence in pursuing long-range goals, too many people do not recognize the same needs in the spiritual realm.
In this part of our study, we will see what we can learn from how people in the Bible responded to sustained spiritual challenges.
Biblical Examples - Negative. First, let’s see what we can learn from people who didn’t do so well in these situations.
Solomon. King Solomon was blessed by God with great wisdom, riches, and fame (1 Kings 3:3-14; 4:29-34). Often, these things over a prolonged period lead many people into spiritually destructive attitudes (e.g., arrogance, greed, pride). But this was not the case with Solomon.. It was his love for foreign, idolatrous women that led to his spiritual downfall (1 Kings 11; Ex. 23:32-33).
We would do well today to be watchful about prolonged exposure to lustful situations (e.g., pornography) as well as the spiritual characteristics of those we become romantically involved with and marry. Too many well-intentioned Christians have married “foreign” spouses (unbelievers or even half-hearted Christians) to their eventual dismay and/or falling away.
Elijah. After prolonged spiritual battle with King Ahab and his evil wife Jezebel, the great prophet Elijah became very discouraged, even to the point of requesting God to kill him (1 Kings 19:4, 10). He had come to the false conclusion that he was all by himself in trying to serve God.
Likewise, we should be careful about spiritual self-pity or becoming “weary in well-doing” (Gal. 6:9; 2 Thes. 3:13).
The Parables. In Matt. 13:3-23, Jesus warns about people who hear and accept His word, but over time let other things interfere with being productive Christians. As verse 22 says:
Biblical Examples - Positive. On the positive side, the Bible has numerous examples of people who did well when confronted with the spiritually prolonged.
Noah. First, despite being surrounded for many years by a culture that was thoroughly evil, Noah distinguished himself by remaining faithful to God (Gen. 6:5-8). Second, if the reference to 120 years in Gen. 6:3 applies to how long it took Noah and his family to build the ark, we are even more impressed with his persistence. Although not mentioned in the text, it is probable he also suffered prolonged ridicule by his evil neighbors.
Are we as persistent at doing good, despite what unbelievers around us might say?
Joseph. Starting in Gen. 39, we read about Jacob’s son Joseph. Note carefully all of the prolonged adversities and opportunities to sin that he overcame after being sold into slavery by his brothers. These included being seduced by the wife of his “boss”, falsely accused, thrown into prison, elevated into a position of great power, and presented with the opportunity to revenge himself on his brothers.
Could we say the same things about ourselves when confronted with prolonged adversity and/or choice opportunities to get even with our enemies?
Daniel. In the book bearing his name, we read about the life of a young Hebrew boy taken to a foreign country where he managed to remained faithful for many decades, despite rising to a position of prominence and being persecuted for his beliefs.
How well do we handle success in this life? And what if that success is threatened if we don’t compromise our spiritual faithfulness?
Nehemiah. After overcoming physical challenges and religious persecution, Nehemiah and the people completed the arduous task of rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem. As Neh. 4:6 says, a key to their success was “…for the people had a mind to work”.
Are we as persistent when facing some arduous spiritual task that requires prolonged effort?
Paul. Coming to the New Testament, we see the encouraging example of Paul. Although he persecuted Christians to death, after his conversion he went on to become an inspiring example of spiritual persistence and success, despite ongoing persecution. As he writes in Phil. 3:13-14:
And many others. See Hebrews 11 for even more examples of spiritual courage, dedication, and success, often in the face of prolonged spiritual adversity. Of course, the ultimate examples of persistently doing good in the face of provocation would be Jesus and God the Father.
In this part of our study, we will see what we can learn from how people in the Bible responded to sustained spiritual challenges.
Biblical Examples - Negative. First, let’s see what we can learn from people who didn’t do so well in these situations.
Solomon. King Solomon was blessed by God with great wisdom, riches, and fame (1 Kings 3:3-14; 4:29-34). Often, these things over a prolonged period lead many people into spiritually destructive attitudes (e.g., arrogance, greed, pride). But this was not the case with Solomon.. It was his love for foreign, idolatrous women that led to his spiritual downfall (1 Kings 11; Ex. 23:32-33).
We would do well today to be watchful about prolonged exposure to lustful situations (e.g., pornography) as well as the spiritual characteristics of those we become romantically involved with and marry. Too many well-intentioned Christians have married “foreign” spouses (unbelievers or even half-hearted Christians) to their eventual dismay and/or falling away.
Elijah. After prolonged spiritual battle with King Ahab and his evil wife Jezebel, the great prophet Elijah became very discouraged, even to the point of requesting God to kill him (1 Kings 19:4, 10). He had come to the false conclusion that he was all by himself in trying to serve God.
Likewise, we should be careful about spiritual self-pity or becoming “weary in well-doing” (Gal. 6:9; 2 Thes. 3:13).
The Parables. In Matt. 13:3-23, Jesus warns about people who hear and accept His word, but over time let other things interfere with being productive Christians. As verse 22 says:
- “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.”
Biblical Examples - Positive. On the positive side, the Bible has numerous examples of people who did well when confronted with the spiritually prolonged.
Noah. First, despite being surrounded for many years by a culture that was thoroughly evil, Noah distinguished himself by remaining faithful to God (Gen. 6:5-8). Second, if the reference to 120 years in Gen. 6:3 applies to how long it took Noah and his family to build the ark, we are even more impressed with his persistence. Although not mentioned in the text, it is probable he also suffered prolonged ridicule by his evil neighbors.
Are we as persistent at doing good, despite what unbelievers around us might say?
Joseph. Starting in Gen. 39, we read about Jacob’s son Joseph. Note carefully all of the prolonged adversities and opportunities to sin that he overcame after being sold into slavery by his brothers. These included being seduced by the wife of his “boss”, falsely accused, thrown into prison, elevated into a position of great power, and presented with the opportunity to revenge himself on his brothers.
Could we say the same things about ourselves when confronted with prolonged adversity and/or choice opportunities to get even with our enemies?
Daniel. In the book bearing his name, we read about the life of a young Hebrew boy taken to a foreign country where he managed to remained faithful for many decades, despite rising to a position of prominence and being persecuted for his beliefs.
How well do we handle success in this life? And what if that success is threatened if we don’t compromise our spiritual faithfulness?
Nehemiah. After overcoming physical challenges and religious persecution, Nehemiah and the people completed the arduous task of rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem. As Neh. 4:6 says, a key to their success was “…for the people had a mind to work”.
Are we as persistent when facing some arduous spiritual task that requires prolonged effort?
Paul. Coming to the New Testament, we see the encouraging example of Paul. Although he persecuted Christians to death, after his conversion he went on to become an inspiring example of spiritual persistence and success, despite ongoing persecution. As he writes 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.”
And many others. See Hebrews 11 for even more examples of spiritual courage, dedication, and success, often in the face of prolonged spiritual adversity. Of course, the ultimate examples of persistently doing good in the face of provocation would be Jesus and God the Father.
- “For consider Him [Jesus] who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” Heb. 12:3; Heb. 4:15
- “And the LORD passed before him [Moses] and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,” Ex. 34:6