ENDURANCE, THE SIXTH COMPONENT OF HOLINESS.

Today, we want to look at the sixth component of holiness - ENDURANCE. To make it to Heaven in the life to come, you MUST endure hardship (afflictions, persecutions, sufferings) in this present world.

1 Peter 1:6-7 says, “Be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to ENDURE many trials for a while. These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold - and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”

Many Christians today think that they can walk through the Christian life without persecutions. The truth is that as long as you are walking on that road to Heaven, you MUST suffer persecution.

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).

And because you cannot avoid persecutions as you walk on that road to Heaven, you MUST learn to endure whatever hardships that may come your way.

2 Timothy 2:3 says, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

2 Timothy 4:5 says, “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”

For how long should one endure such persecutions? To the end.

In Mark 13:13 Jesus said, “And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

The road to Heaven is not easy! And this is because that narrow road is full of serpents and scorpions. That is why Jesus did not call us to walk on a bed of roses, but to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. You must walk on that road full of serpents and scorpions before you can walk on the streets of gold.

In Luke 10:19 Jesus said, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

Jesus has given us an assurance! He promised us that no matter how rough and dangerous the road may be, He Himself will make sure that nothing ever hurts us (Lk. 10:19).

Here is the point: If you cannot endure afflictions as you are walking on those serpents and scorpions, then you cannot attain unto HOLINESS. And if you cannot attain unto holiness, Heaven can never be your eternal home.

The Bible promises persecution to all followers of Christ (2 Tim. 3:12; Phil. 1:29; Mk. 10:29-30; Jn. 16:33). “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).

Even Paul taught that entrance into the kingdom of God comes with many tribulations (Acts 14:22).

In Acts 14:22 apostle Paul said, “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we MUST through much TRIBULATION enter into the Kingdom of God.”

You must put up with that hardship to the end to be saved! In Mark 13:13 Jesus said, “…but he that shall ENDURE (stay on) unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

Realize that all Christians are appointed or called unto afflictions! (1 Thess. 3:3; 1 Pet. 2:21-24).

Every Christian is commanded to rejoice when you are going through any persecution because you are partakers of the sufferings of Christ (1 Pet. 4:12-14).

What is persecution? Persecution is the suffering people go through because of what they believe. Persecution involves an intentional and systematic infliction of suffering or hardship on a person because of his/her beliefs. This suffering includes things like insults, severe criticisms, being imprisoned, beaten, or killed for one’s beliefs.

Jesus said, “Blessed are they which are PERSECUTED for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile (verbally abuse) you, and PERSECUTE you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matt. 5:10-12).

What is suffering? Suffering is anything that causes pain or distress.  Such sufferings include insults, severe criticisms, being imprisoned, beaten, or killed for your beliefs.

“Through SUFFERING, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. 11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies” (2 Cor. 4:10-11; NLT).

Why do persecutors attack Christians?

1. They want to stop the witness (Jer. 11:21; Acts 4:17-19).

Therefore, thus saith the Lord of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, “Prophesy not in the name of the Lord, that thou die not by our hand” (Jer. 11:21).

2. Wicked men hate the righteous (Gal. 4:29; (Acts 7:52).

3. The righteous is despised for not joining drunken parties (1 Pet. 4:3-4; 1 Jn. 3:12-14).

4. Because truth is a witness against evil (Jn. 7:7).

Examples of such cases abound in the Scriptures:

a) Jeremiah was imprisoned for prophesying the truth (Jer. 32:2-3).

b) Stephen was stoned for rebuking the Jews (Acts 6:10-15).

c) John was exiled to Patmos for preaching the Word (Rev. 1:9).

5. Because of ignorance of the truth (1 Tim. 1:13).

How do persecutors begin their operations? Persecutors usually begin with verbal attacks.

1. Slander, infamy, lies (Ps. 69:9-12; Matt. 5:11-12; Lk. 6:22).

2. Persecutors twist words to defame (Matt. 22:1).

3. Lying Accusations and false charges (Ps. 35:11)

4. Character assassination (Lk. 7:34).

5. Accusations of being of the devil (Jn. 10:20).

6. Charges of religious insanity (Acts 26:24).

7. Persecution through fear of the society’s disapproval (Jn. 12:42).

8. Persecution can come through family and friends (Jer. 12:6; (Matt. 10:21; Matt. 10:35-36).

What then should be the right attitude when you come under the crossfire of affliction?

1. Expect trials and afflictions (Ps. 34:19; Acts 14:22).

2. Realize that Christians are appointed unto afflictions (1 Thess. 3:3-4; 1 Pet. 4:12-14).

3. Be patient in tribulation. “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer” (Rom. 12:12).

4. Endure afflictions (sufferings) patiently (Jer. 10:19; Lam. 3:24-27). “But watch thou in all things, ENDURE AFFLICTIONS …” (2 Tim. 4:5).

For instance, Jesus endured the Cross. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him ENDURED the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).

What does it mean to endure? To endure means to put up with something or somebody that is unpleasant. ENDURANCE is the power to bear (put up with) pain, or hardship (suffering).

What is suffering? Suffering is anything that causes pain or distress. Our short life is full of trouble (Job 14:1-6).

Why is endurance important?

a) Endurance is commanded and commended by God. It is necessary to reaching the goal of a life well-lived and ultimately, of eternal life (1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Tim. 2:3; 1 Pet. 2:20; Rev. 13:10).

b) Endurance is the sign that our faith is for real, because it shows that we have our eternal goals clearly in mind (Lk. 9:62; Mk. 13:13; Heb. 3:6; 2 Tim. 2:12; 1 Pet. 2:21-24).

What then is endurance? ENDURANCE is the power to bear (put up with) pain, or hardship (suffering). 2 Timothy 2:3 says, “ENDURE suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”  

Here is what will help you endure persecutions: realize that God has a purpose for the tests and trials you are going through.

When you understand the plan and purpose of God in your trials and pains, you will have more courage to endure whatever may come your way in this Christian race. For instance, Jesus endured the Cross having understood the end result (Heb. 12:2).

God wants to train you so that you can become a General in His Kingdom. But how can you be a General without going on a course?

The tests and trials you are going through are the courses that will give you the certificate of greatness, usefulness, excellence, and anointing.

Some of the reasons why you are going through what you are going through in life are found in Deuteronomy 8:1-7, and 8:11-16.

Whatever you are going through, do not give up because there is a crown waiting for you, if you endure and stand firm to the end (Jam. 1:12).

You may be weeping now but just realize that your weeping is temporary. “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Ps. 30:5).

Your sorrow will eventually turn to joy, because all things will work together for your good (Rom. 8:28).

Conclusion: Remember that without ENDURANCE, you can never become holy, and without holiness you cannot see the LORD (Heb. 12:14).

·         Your friend, I.I. MADUBUNYI (Senior Pastor, HOG)                                     9^th October, 2016.