Spiritual Growth - VI-B

The Need For Perseverance – Part Two

In our last lesson we looked at the need for perseverance, which should now be clear. In this part we will attempt to answer the question, “what can we do to maintain perseverance”...?

Maintaining perseverance is a display of daily self-control. Note the close relationship between self-control and perseverance - 2 Pe 1:6 “and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,”. Self-control must be exercised one day at time. Self-control exercised daily produces perseverance over the long haul. We display self-control daily as we engage in daily habits that lead to our goals (e.g., Bible reading, prayer). We display self-control daily as we take the small steps that lead to our destination (e.g., serving in our function). Keep trying again and again after apparent failures -- Perseverance is exercising self-control one day at a time, day after day.

We can maintain our perseverance when we associate with like-minded individuals who are striving for similar goals, through similar habits. When we associate with individuals who understand the need for perseverance in their own lives. Individuals who don't get discouraged, who will encourage you likewise - He 10:36-39 “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, "Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him." But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” -- This is why frequent assembling with other Christians is so important.

Keep your eye on the prize with a clear vision of your ultimate goal. This was Paul's secret to his perseverance - 2 Co 4:16-18 “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”; Ph 3:12-15 “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.” It was also enabled Jesus to endure - He 12:1-3 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”

Keep your eye on the prize with an appreciation of the daily habits. How Bible reading produces spiritual growth - 1 Pe 2:2 “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation.” How prayer leads to freedom from anxiety through the peace of God - Ph 4:6-7 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” How encouraging one another protects against apostasy - He 3:12-15 “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. As it is said, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."’ -- We shall persevere as long as we remain focused on our ultimate goal and what it takes to get there!

In The Parable Of The Sower, note the difference between two soils.... Rocky soil - receives the Word with joy, but endures only temporarily - Mt 13:20-21. Good soil - keeps the Word and bears fruit with patience (hupomone) - Lk 8:15 -- The difference is found in who has perseverance! If spiritual growth is to occur a good beginning is not enough. Progress in the past is not sufficient. -- We need the virtue of perseverance, today and tomorrow!
For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. - He 10:36-39