Who is Jesus? #158

Ten Things Jesus Knows About You

Your Perseverance

I know what it said over the door that led into the football locker room in high school. “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” I am not sure how effective that was for our record as a football team. We never had a winning season. It does sound pretty good, though, doesn’t it? The tough are going to hang in there.

Jesus told the church at Thyatira (Revelation 2:19) that among other things, “I know your perseverance.” He doesn’t say whether it was a high level of perseverance, which we assume from the words that follow, or a low level of perseverance. He just says He knows.

Some versions use the word patience for hypomone. Even with that translation it carries with it the idea of active patience and not passive patience. Passivity is the attitude that all this stuff is happening and I am just going to go with the flow – not really perseverance at all. Activity says I am going to do all I can to stand against whatever it is that is coming against me and if I am a follower I am going to call on all the strength I can get from every member of the Godhead to help me.

I am not sure that many of us live under the flag of perseverance. I can think of some positive examples. A woman or child perseveres under the onslaught of an abusive mate until the point that it simply cannot be tolerated any more. Maybe an employee perseveres under the tirades of an overbearing boss knowing that someday one or the other of them will not be there, or because it is a good paying job and provides for his family. I know that my wife had has to persevere being married to me. I know of a family who recently lost a daughter, wife, and mother and this family, though perhaps full of questions, has maintained their faith and integrity. 

Just how high are our perseverance levels? How tough does it have to get before we give up? I have known people who have "quit the church" over the least little things - maybe big things in their minds. 

I don't know. It seems to me that if we keep our eyes on the goal then perseverance would just follow when required - not easy, but definitely worth it. In this case the end would definitely justify the means. It seems that we are more likely to blame God for our circumstances rather than persevere through them. 

With prayers and partners, perseverance can be tamed a bit, but it is still hard. We'd rather not have to persevere. But we need to realize that when we are called into perseverance, Jesus knows it.

Peter indicates (II Peter 1:6) that perseverance is a characteristic that is to be added to our Christian character. He further indicates that it will come into play in living effective and productive lives. It is as if Peter is saying at some point you are going to have to persevere.

Paul commends the Thessalonians (1:3) for their hypomone. But he goes on to say that it is inspired by the hope they have in Jesus. Jesus not only makes it worthwhile but He also is there to help and encourage.

So, yes, things can and probably will happen in our lives that will call on our perseverance. Jesus will see that and He will be there to encourage us and guide us through those tough times that ultimately end in victory.