Enduring
“Endurance only comes from enduring.” This self-truth – something that seems so blatantly obvious you could wonder why it needs to be stated. Yet it stuck in my mind and I was later drawn back to the article in which the statement appeared.
It is an action statement. It is something we must do if we want to have the quality of endurance. And God’s word makes it clear it is required of us.
“But he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13).
Endurance is created under pressure. As an action statement it points to negative action. The Greek word means to “stay under”. Something is pressing a person down and they must remain in a positive mental frame of mind to keep moving forward. Here in Matthew 24 it accompanies a time of broken relationships, false prophets and general lawlessness. Under these conditions, God’s people will need to endure. A similar statement is made by Christ in Matthew chapter 10:
“And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved” (verse 22).
The surrounding verses paint a picture of how we will be pressed down. There will be very difficult social conditions in which we will be living. Christ concluded these comments with the encouragement not to fear. In other words, keep doing the things that we must do to comply with God’s will, despite how we are pressed down.
As a quality of character, it must be formed over time with consistent actions. Actions which support the way of life to which we have been called.
We cannot pretend that this is not difficult. To maintain a positive forward focused approach is challenging. But scripture makes it plain that God’s Spirit will provide the help we need:
“For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:8-9).
Endurance is an investment in the future. The reward for doing so is not necessarily now.
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12).
To endure we need to be able to see clearly down the road – past all the obstacles immediately in front to us.
“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end” (Hebrews 3:12-14).
Great things wait for those who learn endurance by enduring.
Brian Orchard
