In his charge that we continue to develop Christian character, Peter writes, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance” (2 Pet. 1:5-6). The devil is always trying to wear us down. How goes it with the development of perseverance?
The word perseverance means endurance, constancy, steadfastness, persistence, tenacity, not giving up, and keeping on keeping on. It means bearing the load and moving forward. Without endurance, we will surely fail. In the face of trials, some give up. Some turn on each other. Others turn against God. Christians bear up and keep going. We turn to God and to one another.
We are living in trying times. The day in which we live will surely go down in history as a pivotal time in the life of the church. Let us not be worn down by the onslaught of the devil and his minions. The world would have us give up and give in, but we cannot afford to fail. Do not hit a wall and quit. Persevere. Jesus pleads, “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10).
Stay tuned…
To be a child of God is the greatest privilege we have, but we also have responsibility. May God bless us all as we work with his Spirit to develop the character the Father expects of his children. TC
