Christian Perseverance

There is a great purpose for serving God.  We are  not discussing the purpose here, but part of believing in God is to share in his purpose.  The idea that there is nothing we can do for God has caused much damage to Christian lives.  The Bible gives us a whole new life full of things to do here on this earth. 

Paul not only stayed busy for God but also he was looking for a reward for his work.  I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.  Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.  (1 Cor 9:23-24)  Some people think that they will enter Heaven simply because they have certain ideas in their head.  God's Kingdom is not about our ideas.  Only people who dedicate their life to His cause will enter.  Yes, there is a thief on the cross but what makes you like him?

Although we are talking about pressing on of our own volition, it is usually necessary to point out to some believers that God actually requires that we work for Him.  James tells us quite frankly that faith in Jesus alone is not enough.  You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?  Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?  You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made completeby what he did.  (James 2:20-22) 

If we have never stepped out in faith for God when everything was screaming don't do it, then we should go to God and ask him to forgive us.  When we talk of perseverance, it is about people who have sold out their life for God.

One of the strongest places in the Word of God, highlighting the necessity of pressing on is the messages to the seven churches in Revelation.  The word "overcome" is the only word repeated for all seven churches.

To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life. (Rev 2:7)

He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death. (Rev 2:11)

To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. (Rev 2:17)

To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations. (Rev 2:26)

He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white.  I will never blot out his name from the book of life. (Rev 3:5)

Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God.  (Rev 3:12)

To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne.  (Rev 3:21)

He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.  (Rev 21:7)

What a wonderful reward for overcoming.  How do unclean humans ever reach such a clean place?  We must hold fast to our hope because it is real. 

This world is not our home and we must press on toward our heavenly home.  Paul instructed us to be workmen; Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.  (2 Tim 2:15)  Successful workers are those who finish the job.  With the spirit living in us, we are capable of God's approval.