“COMMITTED TO PERSEVERE”

“Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

Matthew 10:21-22

To be identified with Christ means more than most of us think. Jesus changed the world with His teaching and commanded everyone who wanted to be His disciple Him to follow His lead. He was perfect in every way, yet people hated Him, especially those who did not like His teaching. In fact, they plotted to kill Him as early as the start of His ministry.

Contrary to what many people believe, Jesus does not unite people; He divides them. Many times during His earthly ministry, people disagreed over His Person, works, and teaching. Some called Him John the Baptist resurrected; others called Him a madman and a lunatic. His detractors even called Him demon-possessed. Thus, not only did He split time (B.C. - A.D.), He also divided people (believers and non-believers). One of His seven “I AM” statements, “I am the door,” gives us a picture of how a door divides people. Some are in; some are out.

During the early years of the Church, the persecution among believers was so severe that even family members delivered their believing loved ones to authorities for execution. Countless Christians were commanded to renounce their faith in exchange for freedom, but they refused and chose to die instead.

In many parts of the world today, Christians are still being persecuted and physically attacked because of their faith. But such hostility only strengthens their faith, as what happened to the Apostles (Acts 5:41).

Verse 21 tends to be misinterpreted by some preachers, suggesting that perseverance is a requirement for salvation. However, that would mean believers are saved because of works, which the Bible clearly denies (Ephesians 2:8-9). The truth is that perseverance is not a factor in salvation but is an indicator of true conversion. In other words, a true believer is empowered by the Holy Spirit to overcome adversity and endure to the end.

On the other hand, those who fall away only prove their faith is counterfeit, to begin with (1 John 2:19). God did not fail them; instead, they did not trust Him. In the Bible, warnings are always accompanied by promises, meaning, when God demands, He provides.

I said it before; I say it again: Christianity is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. The fast doesn’t always win the race; the persistent does. Therefore, don’t be afraid when the odds are against you; endure the race to the end. You are not alone. God is with you.

Pursue the Saviour today!