"Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance..."--2 Peter 1:5-6. Here we find the fourth ingredient necessary for a proper faith in Christ, PERSEVERANCE.
Perseverance. The original Greek word here has several definitions. Among them, perseverance means to remain in place. So with that definition in mind, why is perseverance such a crucial ingredient to a proper faith in Christ?
Perseverance. So far we have looked at moral excellence (excellence of character), knowledge, and self-control (having power over ALL things). So how does perseverance fit into all this?
Perseverance. To answer my first question, perseverance involves effort. Perseverance in some contexts involves staying strong through trials. But here, in the context of faith, it means keeping faith in God when the world around you is doubting God.
Perseverance. Perseverance means staying in Christ when everyone around you is stepping outside of Christ.
Perseverance. Let's face it. More often than not, it is so much easier to give in to the pressure around you to give in and forsake God's commandments.
Perseverance. Becoming a Christian through obedience to the gospel is easy. It's what you do after that requires effort and perseverance.
Perseverance. Perseverance means staying true to God when people and/or Satan is tempting you to bow down and worship him.
Perseverance. Finally, let us not forget that perseverance means remembering the words of Jesus when Satan was tempting Him in the wilderness to satisfy his physical desires and thereby forsake God--"But He answered and said 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'"--Matthew 4:4.
Perseverance. Having faith is easy, adding the necessary ingredients for a proper and Christ like faith, that takes courage and perseverance.
Perseverance. My encouragement to you tonight is this. With all the disasters that are happening at home with the tornadoes and floods and abroad with the recent earthquakes and tsunami in Japan, people are no doubt asking where God is in all of this and this applies to both those enduring it and those of us looking on through our televisions and news media. I encourage you to take some time and reflect and pray about these things then go out and talk to people about the gospel message. Also remind your fellow brethren to supply perseverance to their faith and remain true to what Christ has said.
DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! PRAY ABOUT IT! LOVE Y'ALL! GOD BLESS! Also, per the image above. NEVER NEVER NEVER GIVE UP!
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