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 (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 (1 Thess. 1:5, NLT; 2 Tim. 2:3, 2 Tim. 4:5).

For how long should one endure such persecutions? You must endure (put up with) that hardship to the end to be saved Mk. 13:13). When is the end? The end is when the Lord Jesus appears from Heaven? (1 Thess. 1:7-10).

The road to Heaven is difficult. In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus said, “…14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way (road) which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (NKJV).

Why is it so? 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 (Lk. 10:19a). 

You must walk on that road full of serpents and scorpions before you can walk on the streets of gold. 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. He said, “…and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Lk. 10:19b).

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.

As a Christian you are appointed or called unto afflictions! 1 Thessalonians 3:3 says, “That no man should be moved by these AFFLICTIONS: for you yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.”

1 Peter 2:21-24 says, “For even hereunto were ye CALLED: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps…”

That is why the Bible promises persecution to all that will follow the narrow way (2 Tim. 3:12; Phil. 1:29; Jn. 16:33; Mk. 10:29-30). “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. 

In Acts 14:22 apostle Paul said, “…that we MUST through much TRIBULATION enter into the Kingdom of God.”

Every Christian is commanded to rejoice when you are going through any persecution because that makes you a partaker 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. This suffering includes things like insults, severe criticisms, being imprisoned, beaten, or killed for one’s beliefs (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.

Whenever you suffer for the sake of Christ, you are sharing in His sufferings. “Through SUFFERING, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus …” (2 Cor. 4:10-11; NLT).

What then should be the right attitude when you come under the crossfire of affliction? 1. Be patient in tribulation. “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer” (Rom. 12:12).

2. 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 (or put up with) pain, or hardship (suffering). 

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 because of the joy that was set before Him (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.

Therefore, 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).

In what areas should one develop endurance?  We should develop endurance in dealing with difficult (unpleasant) people. We must endure in our kindness and patience as we deal with people who make life tough for us.

We should develop endurance in doing good. Galatians 6:9 says, “Don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.”  

Finally, we develop endurance by maintaining an eternal perspective inspired by hope (Hab. 2:3).

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)               30^th May, 2021.