"He who endures till the end will be saved" - Matthew 10:22
"Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and endurance." - Hebrews 6:12
Literary, the word 'endurance' means an act of bearing or suffering.
Endurance in present times has become quite a challenge for people. We have started quitting so soon. Be it marriages, churches, friends. We don't want to wait on the Lord.
Endurance is one trait the devil has cleverly picked to attack us so that we may not be able to inherit the promises of our faithful God( ref - Hebrews 6:12)
If we endure and trust in Him we shall be saved.....hmmm......makes sense to me. And if you endure more, you get bonus.......YOU GET TO INHERIT GOD'S PROMISES. Wow, it's amazing.
We all have challenges in our lives, some have health challenges, some have relationship challenges, some have challenges at work..... and yes we endure knowingly and unknowingly. But is your endurance leading you to the right outcome. Some might say, " I have tried several doctors but no relief", " I have done all I could but my spouse doesn't change", " My friend has totally lost it, so I shall leave him/her alone" or " I tried everything I could to please all at work but nothing works" or " my brother has become so self centered that I have decided not to see or talk to him" or " I don't like certain person or certain ways in the church so I am going to find another church".
So we begin on the journey of temporary relief/joy/happiness. We quit and we want to start afresh.
We want to quit and make a new friend.
We want to quit and find a new relationship.
We want to quit and find a new career.
We want to quit and find a new doctor or a new treatment.
We want to quit and find another church.
Thats the death of endurance.
But my friends thats not the case with God. He is faithful. He wants us to endure till the end, so that we shall be saved.
For me prayer helps me to endure. The enemy will try it's best but keep resisting the devil and it will flee.
My prayer today is that may God give us strength to endure till the end. Each day as we meet and beat the challenges of the day with His Power which rest in those who believe, May Christ's spirit lead us through so that we may inherit the promises of our faithful and Holy God! In Jesus' mighty name. Amen.
