Endurance

Mark Dunagan
01/11/09 - Sunday Morning

“Today’s roadblocks and distractions make endurance in the Christian life seem unattainable. Our temptations aren’t worse than those in first-century Corinth. But televisions, computers, and even cell phones bring into our homes what used to be found only in back alleys. In our technological Corinth, temptations are only a keypad or mouse click away. Failure to endure – in marriage, jobs, church, or any part of life – has become normal. A consistent long-term obedience, without periodic diversions into sin and unfruitfulness, seems an impossible dream. Sin has become so common, so expected, that holy believers are either elevated as heroes or dismissed as legalists. In our disposable society, we use something up, then toss it (whether a paper plate, a spouse, a church, or a career). The stick-to-it philosophy is a relic of another age – something monks once did, but we can’t. And why should we? Who wants to work hard or become bored by staying a course when endless alternatives call to us? But the essence of the Christian life cannot change with culture” (A Life of Endurance, Randy Alcorn, Eternal Perspectives, Fall 2008, p. 12).

Endurance is the Essence of Following Christ

• “…it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved” (Matthew 10:22)
• “By your endurance you will gain your lives” (Luke 21:19)
• We are to persevere in tribulation (Romans 12:12)
• “Love… bears all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7)
• We are “strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously…” (Colossians 1:11).

Endurance is Consistently on God’s Lists of Virtues

• “…flee from these things, you man of God; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11)
• “…you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance” (2 Timothy 3:10)
• “…in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control,perseverance…” (2 Peter 1:6)

As I read the above passages I am impressed by the following observations: 1. Christians are expected to endure; no matter what the circumstances, there is never a time when we are permitted to give up or opt out. 2. Our endurance is not a “grin and bear it” type of endurance and neither is it a helpless type of patience that has the attitude, “Well, I guess there is nothing I can do about it”. Rather, our endurance is fueled by a love for God and others, and even in the midst of trial we are to be joyful. If we truly love God and others, we will indeed be able to “bear all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7).

Observing the Endurance of Other’s Helps

• The Need for Examples

Paul exhorted older men to be “temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance” (Titus 2:2). One blessing which encourages me to remain faithful is watching men and women older than me who are just as bold in their proclamation of the gospel as in earlier years, filled with faith at the end of their lives, and finishing strong. Conversely, when people fall away the impression often left is that the norm is to become less certain about truth and that abandoning clear convictions is normal and as one gets older. Yet the Bible reminds us that God’s normal standard is to remain faithful,“If we endure, we shall also reign with Him” (2 Timothy 2:12). The reason that Paul endured, was not merely for his own salvation, but he was also mindful of all the people coming after him, “For this reason, I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, that they may obtain the salvation which his in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory” (2 Timothy 2:10). Timothy was told the same thing, “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as you do this you will insure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16). In persevering we keep the road well lit for our children, grandchildren and all who will follow after us.

Thus I want to encourage all older Christians to continue disciplining themselves for godliness (1 Timothy 4:7). Especially, let your children and grandchildren see you exercising the constant diet of serving others, praying, worshipping, and your joyful immersion in the Word of God. “Be the Rock!”

One writer noted that aging baby boomer Christian men need to come to grips “with the fact that our youthfulness is vanishing with every passing day” (Point Man, Steve Farrar, p. 226). Those following us need to see rocks and not reeds shaken in the wind (Matthew 11:7). Yes, our youthfulness is vanishing, yet, “salvation is nearer than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11). Lost youthfulness is no great loss, rather, we are getting nearer and nearer to the goal, and we are growing stronger and stronger (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

• The Type of Race we are in

“Let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith…For consider Him who endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3). As I ponder this passage, I am reminded:

(1) Christianity is a marathon, not a 50-yard dash. Yet the culture that surrounds us is running nothing but quick sprints. I should therefore not be surprised at the number of fads I will see in my lifetime (Ephesians 4:14), and that the world will always try to solve problems with quick fixes. Any walk through a used bookstore, especially the book section in a second hand store, will remind one that the cutting edge ideas or theories of today, the “must haves, will be quickly discarded. So the question is never, “What is popular?” but rather, “What is true?” Thus, I know that bible doctrine and those that apply it in the Lord’s church (Matthew 16:18) is never dated, rather the opinions and theories of men is what always becomes dated and obsolete. After 2000 years, the Lord’s church still exists today, and it exists worldwide. God’s plan works.

(2) I need to keep my focus on Jesus and not what other voices are saying in the culture. Not only does this remind me of what He said and what is true, but also it equally prevents me from buying into the wrong ideas. If being a Christian is not popular, if the church is not the biggest group in town, I am not troubled, because even Jesus Himself was not very popular on this earth. If Christianity brings persecution, I am not shocked, because Jesus was persecuted and He told me to expect as much in my life. If I am tempted to feel sorry for myself, I am quickly brought back to reality when I remember how much Jesus was willing to suffer for me (12:4).

• Valuable Lessons to be Learned

“It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” (Hebrews 12:7).

It is for the purpose of godly training that God requires us to endure various trials. God is not trying to make our lives miserable; such suffering is not an accident, it is for the purpose of discipline. And what Christian would claim that they do not need any discipline or training? Persecution or opposition from the world is always for our good! “God deals with you as with sons”: The necessary inference is that good fathers discipline their sons! True love will exercise discipline even when it hurts. “Corrections are pledges of our adoption and badges of our sonship” (Wilson, p. 164). Therefore, I want to endurance, and I desire to keep on running the race, because I desperately need to learn the lesson God in His great love wants to instill in me. According to Scripture, the process of endurance will teach me the following:

1. 1. Better insight into Scripture: Psalm 119:71
   2. A stronger and tried character, integrity and a strong hope (Romans 5:4).
   3. Blessedness, happiness, contentment, and confidence (James 1:12).
   4. A greater appreciation for God’s mercy (James 5:11).
   5. A liberation from peer pressure
   6. A realization of what really is important
   7. A freedom in understanding how my happiness is not tied to material things or outward circumstances
   8. A confidence that my faith in Christ can handle anything
   9. A discovery that God is more than able to support me, and that with God on my side and trust in Him I am in a particular a very real sense, spiritually invincible (2 Corinthians 6:6-10).
   10. A greater thirst for heaven (Romans 8:25).

• There is always an end

“As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful” (James 5:10-11).

These two passages remind me that the faithful have always endured. Endurance may not feel good or feel romantic at the moment, yet those who are remembered as heroes by future generations as those who endured and not those who quit or compromised. The person who gives up or sells out might be popular for the moment, but there is always an end of any trial and there is always a looking back. The prophets and Job are remembered well by both God and man because they stuck to their guns. In trial, we have a wonderful opportunity. We can be a rock, a mighty tree by the waters, salty salt, and a bright light shining in the darkness.