"Perseverance"

“Perseverance”

 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.        James 1:2-4

 

As TRUE BELIEVERS, we sometimes question, WHY, we are taken through the TRIALS that we face, and it seems to be a CONTINUAL process.  We at times wonder if we are being PUNISHED for some UNKNOWN reason.  But James says to:  “Consider it PURE JOY, whenever we are going through these hard times. 

 

Our NATURAL reaction, to the TRIALS we face, is definitely not PURE JOY.  However, as TRUE BELIEVERS, when we face these times, we should face them with the JOY of KNOWING that our FAITH is being put to the test, to see if we will have the PERSEVERANCE we NEED to make it through each TRIAL. 

 

PERSEVERANCE means to have ENDURANCE or STEADFASTNESS.  God puts the TRUE BELIEVER’S FAITH to the test, in order to PROVE and to add STRENGTH and to give QUALITY to the BELIEVER’S FAITH.   It is of the UTMOST IMPORTANCE that the TRUE BELIEVER does NOT FAIL the test, with the WRONG RESPONSE.  Through the TESTS the BELIEVER learns to withstand the pressures of the trial, until God is ready to remove it. 

 

The BELIEVER can PERSEVERE by TRUSTING in GOD, and RELYING on His HOLY SPIRIT to SEE them through to the end.  Then they can TRULY REJOICE because of their PERSEVERANCE, MATURITY and COMPLETENESS of their FAITH.  This does NOT mean that you are SINLESS, but it develops a DEEPER, MORE INTIMATE, and MORE TRUSTING RELATIONSHIP with JESUS CHRIST.

 

Do you have a RELATIONSHIP with JESUS?  If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to Him, then you do NOT POSSESS a RELATIONSHIP with Him or His FATHER, God.  And you are destined for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE.  You will have to face troubles, heartaches and despair, on your OWN.   In order for you to PERSEVERE, you MUST HAVE a RELATIONSHIP with JESUS and FATHER GOD.  You MUST BE WILLING TO TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and TRUST Him for the PERSEVERANCE you NEED to STRENGTHEN your FAITH, and DEVELOP a CLOSER, MORE INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP with JESUS CHRIST, and His FATHER.  And to receive an ETERNITY in Heaven, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!