What is perseverance?

Action or condition of steadfastness. OT Israel waited generations for fulfillment of promises that many believers never lived to see (Hebrews 11:1, 13, 21-22, 39). The promise to Abraham sustained hope for centuries before Canaan was possessed. The lesson of the wilderness journey, when the waning of initial zeal prevented the people from entering the Promised Land, was never forgotten (3:16-19). Prophets looked constantly beyond failure and tragedy to distant horizons, and they nourished a patient faith (Jeremiah 32:1-15; Hosea 3:4-5; Joel 2:28-29; Habakkuk 2:1-3; Daniel 12:11-13).

The NT everywhere urges similar perseverance. Among several Greek expressions, the usual word, proskartereo, has the root meaning “to attend continually, adhere steadfastly” (Mark 3:9; Acts 8:13; 10:7; Romans 13:6), and is variously translated “devoted,” “continued,” “constant,” “[be] steadfast.”

This persistent patience is called for in prayer (Luke 18:1-8; Colossians 4:2); in well doing (Romans 2:7; Galatians 6:9); in Christian teaching (Acts 2:42; 2 Timothy 3:14); in affliction (2 Thessalonians 1:4); in grace (Acts 13:43; 2 Corinthians 6:1); in faith (Acts 14:22; Colossians 1:23); in divine love (John 15:9; Jude 1:21); in standing firm (1 Corinthians 16:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:15); in abiding in Christ (John 15:4-10; 1 John 2:28); in running with patience (Hebrews 6:12; 12:1); in not falling away (Hebrews 3:12; 4:1-10); and in being zealous to confirm our call and election (2 Peter 1:10).

The failure in perseverance of Judas (John 6:71), Demas (2 Timothy 4:10), and Hymenaeus (2 Timothy 2:17) must be kept in mind, as well as the dread possibility of neglecting so great a salvation (Hebrews 2:3), being disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:27), falling while we think we stand (1 Corinthians 10:12), and committing apostasy (Hebrews 6:1-8). For, as Jesus said, “He who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22; 24:13). Such extraordinary emphasis cannot be accidental. The pressures of pagan society, the danger of persecution, emotional reaction after a wonderful initial experience, and the apparent implication of “instant salvation,” made it imperative for Christians to understand that by their endurance they would inherit eternal salvation (Luke 21:19; Romans 5:3; Colossians 1:11).

Yet Scripture never implies that perseverance depends entirely upon human effort. In the OT, the redeeming purpose of God is unswerving; God’s covenant stands, though it needs to be renewed (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Divine love (Hebrew, hesed) connotes changeless loyalty; God “will never fail nor forsake” for “his own name’s sake.” The NT assurance is that Christ will raise his own at the last day—none shall pluck them from his hand or the Father’s. Christ will keep us from falling. God is faithful; he works in us to will and work for his good pleasure, and will not allow us to be tempted beyond our strength. Nothing, in heaven or earth, present or future, shall separate us from divine love. We are already sealed by the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of eternal salvation, and we are kept by the power of God unto a salvation yet to be revealed.

The scriptural tension between exhortation to perseverance and assurance of salvation has given rise to much debate. The intellectual paradox is resolved only in spiritual experience.

WHAT DOES PERSEVERANCE SHOW?

BIBLE READING: Nehemiah 4:1-23
KEY BIBLE VERSE: At last the wall was completed to half its original height around the entire city, for the people had worked very hard. (Nehemiah 4:6)

PERSEVERANCE REVEALS GENUINE COMMITMENT

The work of rebuilding the wall progressed well because the people had set their hearts and minds on accomplishing the task. They did not lose heart or give up, but persevered in the work. If God has called you to a task, determine to complete it, even if you face opposition or discouragement. The rewards of work well done will be worth the effort.

BIBLE READING: Mark 13:1-23
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Everyone will hate you because of your allegiance to me. But those who endure to the end will be saved. (Mark 13:13)

PERSEVERANCE REVEALS GENUINE BELIEVERS

To believe in Jesus and “endure to the end” will take perseverance, because our faith will be challenged and opposed. Severe trials will sift true Christians from fair-weather believers. Enduring to the end does not earn salvation for us, but marks us as already saved. The assurance of our salvation will keep us going through the times of persecution.

BIBLE READING: Hebrews 3:1-19
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Christ, the faithful Son, was in charge of the entire household. And we are God’s household, if we keep up our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ. (Hebrews 3:6)

PERSEVERANCE REVEALS GENUINE FAITH

Because Christ lives in us, we can remain courageous and hopeful to the end. We are not saved by being steadfast and firm in our faith, but our courage and hope do reveal that our faith is real. Without this enduring faithfulness, we could easily be blown away by the winds of temptation, false teaching, or persecution. (See also Hebrews 3:14.)

GOD’S WORD ON PERSEVERANCE

Perseverance has been well defined as “courage stretched out.” Although God sometimes delivers his people from difficult or painful circumstances, he more often calls us to a courageous and enduring faithfulness in the midst of trials. Perseverance, according to the Bible, is not only enduring situations of suffering but overcoming them with obedience, hope, and joy.

HOW DO I DEVELOP PERSEVERANCE IN MY LIFE?

• Joshua 6:1-20 . . . Your entire army is to march around the city once a day for six days.  Perseverance is obeying even when God’s way doesn’t seem to make sense or produce results.
• Nehemiah 6:1-15 . . . I realized that God had not spoken to him.  The Christian’s task and the perseverance to finish the task are rooted in God’s call.
• Romans 5:1-5 . . . We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us.  When we see the potential that suffering has to produce character in our lives, we persevere through it with God’s help.
• Revelation 14:12 . . . Let this encourage God’s holy people to endure persecution patiently.  The key to perseverance for the believer is having a clear view of the goal of heaven.
• 2 Corinthians 8:10-11 . . . I suggest that you finish what you started a year ago, for you were the first to propose this idea, and . . . the first to begin doing something about it. Now you should carry this project through to completion just as enthusiastically as you began it.

IF WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE AND NOT BY WORKS, WHERE DOES PERSEVERANCE COME IN?

• James 5:10-11 . . . We give great honor to those who endure under suffering.  Perseverance in good works does not produce salvation. Rather, perseverance results from our faith in God.
• 2 Peter 1:5-8 . . . Patient endurance leads to godliness.  The Christian life begins with faith but grows through perseverance.
• James 1:2-4 . . . When your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
  Perseverance is what turns suffering into maturity.

PROMISES FROM GOD:

• Matthew 7:7 . . . Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.  God honors persistence in prayer.
• John 15:5 . . . Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.  Perseverance in your faith leads to a productive life.
• Philippians 1:6 . . . I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.  God never stops working in our lives.
• Hebrews 3:14 . . . If we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.  Those who persevere in their faith will share in heaven’s riches.
• Revelation 3:5 . . . All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life.
  Those who persevere in their faith will share in heaven’s riches.