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Living The Christian Life
Perseverance
1. Perseverance in reading the Bible
2. Perseverance in the teaching of the apostles
3. Perseverance in prayer
4. Perseverance in fellowship
5. Perseverance in spiritual warfare
6. The reward of perseverance
The conversion to Jesus Christ marks the starting point of the Christian walk in which the believer is called to persevere ( Hebrews 12: 1 ) by manifesting a firm faith ( Acts 14:22 ; 1 Corinthians 16:13 ). This persistence must manifest itself in different areas:
Perseverance in reading the Bible
The Word of God being the source of faith and the spiritual nourishment of the believer ( Romans 10:17 ; 1 Timothy 4: 6 ; Jerehemiah 15:16 ), it is essential that this one perseveres in his reading and his meditation ( James 1: 23-25 ; Joshua 1: 8 ; cf. 1 Timothy 4:13 , 1 Timothy 4:16 ). As our physical body needs food daily, our soul needs the spiritual food of the Word of God. This is why it is important to persevere every day in reading the Scriptures (personal meditation).
Perseverance in the teaching of the apostles (Acts 2:42)
Listening to the Gospel is essential for achieving faith and salvation ( John 5:24 ), but then the believer needs a teaching based on Scripture to be instructed in biblical truth and know the basic doctrines ( 2 Timothy 3: 14-16 ; cf. Romans 6:17 ). God called men to transmit this teaching (cf. 2 Ti 2: 2 ): This is progressive and requires persistence throughout the life of the believer, both in the study of the Bible, in the acceptance of the revealed truths and the resulting practice ( Jn 13:17 ).
3. Perseverance in prayer
A hallmark of the early Christians was their persistence in prayer ( Acts 1:14 ; Acts 2:42 ; Acts 12: 5 ). Even today, believers are called to maintain this contact with God with the same consistency ( Ro 12:12 ; Col 4: 2 ; Lu 18: 1 ; Eph 6:18 ).
4. Perseverance in fraternal communion
God wanted the Church to be a body whose members depend on each other ( 1 Cor 12: 12-17 ). The believer absolutely needs a bond with a community and it is necessary that he persevere in fellowship ( Ac 2:42 ; Ps 133: 1 ). This includes persistence in brotherly love ( Hebrews 13: 1 ).
5. Perseverance in spiritual warfare
During the Christian life, the believer encounters resistances both external to himself and internal. It is a battle in which one must persevere, without tiring or being discouraged ( Heb 10:36 ; Heb 12: 1-3 ). The Bible also urges perseverance in the trial ( 2 Th 1: 4 ; Da 6:20 ) by keeping the faith ( 1 Ti 1: 18-19 ).
6. The reward of persistence
To those who persevere, God grants
• fulfilling his promises ( Heb 6: 11-12 , Heb 6:15 );
• a reward ( 2 Ti 4: 7-8 ; 2 Ti 2: 5 ; Rev 2:10 ; Ja 1:12 ). Believers who have persevered are honored by God, as victorious athletes are honored and rejoiced when they receive their reward.