perseverance

PERSEVERANCE

 

We don't hear this word used much these days, when the normal attitude is that "anything goes", and whatever feels good, just "do it". But scripture does not agree with this type of thinking or actions, even a casual reading of

(Heb 12:1-13) should make that clear. As I understand the word, it means to keep doing something although it is very difficult, just because you know it is the right thing to do. In our so-called "post-modern" society that has for their motto "there are no absolutes", I can see why this word is not popular. We need a value system that firmly establishes the difference between what is "right" and what is "wrong". The Word of God (the Bible) makes a clear distinction between these two words, and reveals Jesus Christ as the "Truth". See (John 14:6) "Jesus told him I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me". For a longer discussion on the topic of truth, read (John 8:31-59) for a discussion between Jesus and a group of Pharisees who did not believe in Him.

 

I was reading the devotional this morning from ODB by Dennis Fisher and he mentioned "perseverance" that prompted this article. He told about a new battleship that was built for the Swedish navy in 1628 that sank one mile out from land on its maiden voyage because they built so many cannons on the deck that the excessive weight caused it to sink to the bottom of the ocean. Our lives can become like this battleship, if we have too much baggage of sin and unforgiveness or other things in our lives. We need to be like the writer of (Heb 12:1) which states "Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that does so easily ensnare us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us". People who run long distance marathons always strip off any unnecessary clothing that might hinder their chances of winning. And we should do the same thing in our race of life. And we probably all have certain "things" that we should have gotten rid of long ago, but for whatever reason they are still part of our life. Like the battleship mentioned above, we must clean up the inside part of our lives that are hidden to friends, but clearly visible to God. This inward baggage can easily be dealt with by simply relying on God's Holy Spirit to point out the things that need to be changed, and then allowing Him to change them. All He needs for our load to be lightened is our permission, He has the power to deal with anything that stands in the way, and forgiveness and grace are always available to the "spiritual traveler", Praise His Name!!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer                                                                                                                   20/02/15