Perseverance is a great virtue. It’s an imperative. Nothing worth winning comes easy. Nothing coming from God’s grace will be unchallenged by the world and God’s adversary; Satan, the enemy of your soul. What’s important is not what we do as much as how we do it.
RELEVANCE
Since we have been created in God’s image we have been created to reflect God’s glory. We will toil much in life, but if we know our work is to give God glory, He will ensure our efforts are not in vain. The key is being conscious of our motivations. If we work knowing we will bring glory and honor to God, we work with clean hands and a pure heart, doing what God commands, trusting Him for the outcome. In such a way we are assured His victory. If we seek self-glory or harbor vain motivations we work in sin.
“The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:56-58).
“Here is how we know that we love God’s children: when we love God, we also do what he commands. For loving God means obeying his commands. Moreover, his commands are not burdensome, because everything which has God as its Father overcomes the world. And this is what victoriously overcomes the world: our trust” (1 John :2-5 JNT).
God’s victory, therefore, is seen in the how part of our work. He looks for diligence, faithfulness, accountability and responsibility. That’s working as unto the LORD. For this reason, Paul prayed “that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light” (Colossians 1:10-13).
REFLECT AND RELATE
When you feel like throwing in the towel meditate on these words. Ask the Holy Spirit for strength. He is your supplier.
REFERENCES
Ephesians 6:5-8; 2 Timothy 3:21-26