August 29, “Enduring Faith” (Part One)

For you have need of endurance.

Hebrews 10:36

A recent television documentary pointed out that the cheetah survives on the African plains by running down its prey. The big cat can sprint seventy miles per hour. But the cheetah cannot sustain that pace for long. Within its long, sleek body is a disproportionately small heart, which causes the cheetah to tire quickly. Unless the cheetah catches its prey in the first flurry, it must abandon the chase.  

Sometimes our lives can develop a cheetah-like persona, especially concerning our faith. We can hurry toward projects, programs, and commitments with intense energy. But lacking the heart for sustained effort, we “fizzle before we finish.” We attempt to begin our commitments faster and we run harder. But what we need is not more quick decisions and commitments. We need more staying power–stamina that comes only from a bigger heart. Motion and busyness, no matter how intense, will yield no results worth speaking of unless we allow God to give us the heart — the endurance.

For the next two days, we will focus on a life of faith that truly endures, and not simply a superficial desire to run after good things.  So, onto enduring faith!  

This present day represents a significant opportunity to consider the Biblical reality of a faith that endures. From within the context of great sufferings recorded in the history of the early church, this type of faith was the expectation of and hope for every Christian (Hebrews 10:36-38):

³⁶ You need to persevere (endure) so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. ³⁷ For, “In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.” ³⁸ “But my righteous one will live by faith.  And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”

Have you noticed how our view of the Christian life today sometimes stands diametrically opposed to how the Christian life is described in the Bible?  The Biblical picture of the Christian faith often expresses a fight or struggle, or even a war. 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.(Ephesians 6:10-12)

Therefore, endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 2:3)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)

These perspectives of the Christian life resemble combat, opposition, and engagement with the enemy.  The Biblical portrait of faith does not express comfort, ease, and the fulfillment of one’s personal prerogatives.  And, therefore we are exhorted to persevere.  Enduring faith becomes our only true way of following after Jesus in a world opposed to the truth of the Gospel.  

From the context of Hebrews 10:36, there are 4 reasons enduring faith is necessary.  I share two with you today (and two others tomorrow):

1. Enduring faith is necessary because we always face opposition from the world.  Always!  If you are not sensing opposition in some way, you are likely walking in the wrong direction.  In Hebrews 10:32, we are encouraged to remember “those earlier days after receiving the light (the truth of the Gospel) and having stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering.”  From the very moment our faith was placed in Christ (receiving the light) we have stood on the ground of the great contest (the great struggle) between light and darkness.  You need enduring faith because of constant opposition.
2. Enduring faith is necessary because we live for a greater reward than anything of this world.  Hebrews 10:33-35 describes how the posture of faith in the lives of the first century Christians focused on the life to come: “Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.  You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.” When we resolve that the true blessings of faith are not found in this world, we begin to live for “His Kingdom Come.” And, in this Heavenly pursuit, we endure this life for the precious and solid promise of eternal life. 

Enduring faith!  Our calling. Our identity in Christ. Our hope. What a way to live!

(Reasons #3 and #4 will be shared in tomorrow’s post.)

Blessings.

READ

Read Hebrews 10:32-39 and be encouraged to endure.