Perseverance was my 14th talk along the Walk to Emmaus. This talk was given by Dave Drum.

According to dictionary.com perseverance means continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.

Don’t quit! Keep going! We need to learn to preserver, because God wants us to. As we persevere we become closer to God.  We preserve for a better life. The grace of God is a treasure. God is the treasure and all who ever need. Don’t leave it here. Spread God’s Word. The Grace of God is all we need.

Testing of faith (being tempted) leads to perseverance

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)

By being tested we gain perseverance. Perseverance gains maturity and completeness.

Suffering leads to perseverance

³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)

Even suffering can lead to perseverance. Perseverance turns to character which turns to hope.

More verses on perseverance

¹¹ As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. (James 5:11)

⁴ Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. ⁵ All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.(2 Thessalonians 1:5-7)

⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.
(2 Peter 1:5-7)

² I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. ³ You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. (Revelation 2:2-3)

⁹ I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. (Revelation 2:9)

 Parables to read

• Matthew 13:1-23 (The Parable of the Sower)
• Matthew 13:24-30 (The Parable of Weeds)
•  Matthew 13:31-35 (The Parable of the Mustard See and the Yeast)
• Matthew 13:36-43 (The Parable of the Weeds Explained)
• Matthew 13:44-46 (The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl)
• Matthew 13:47-52 (The Parable of the Net)
• Matthew 13:53-58 (A Prophet Without Honor)

How to persevere

• Maintain contact with Christ (Christ alone is our security) 
• Maintain contact with other Christians

When we maintain contact with Christ we study the Word of God, We go to Him in prayer. We have a personal relationship with Christ. A life long commitment. We give our personal time all to Him.

When we maintain contact with other Christians we give each other encouragement. We share the Word with each other. We help each other live a Christlike life. We fellowship together.

When we maintain contact with both Christ and other Christians we build a Spiritual hunger. A hunger to want to know more and seek more.

Prayer makes all things work with Christ!

The Day of the Lord

5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, ² for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³ While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. ⁵ You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ⁶ So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awakened sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.⁸ But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate,and the hope of salvation as a helmet. ⁹ For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)

Final Instructions

¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. ¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt ²¹ but test them all;hold on to what is good, ²² reject every kind of evil.

²³ May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

²⁵ Brothers and sisters, pray for us. ²⁶ Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. ²⁷ I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.

²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (1 Thessalonians 5:11-28)

More thoughts

Never repay evil for evil. We are to have patients with each other. Serving is loving. Small groups (different people coming & going together) also help with sharing, supporting, encouraging, accountability and loving each other. We can never get full on Spiritual growth.

What is the cost of perseverance?

Well anything that is worth having is worth paying for. Just think of the price that Jesus paid to save us all from our sins?

Create Accountability Groups

1. Be serious – Forget about worldly things. You can’t let anything be accountable if they don’t want to be.
2. Describe – Confidentiality, trusting. If I don’t trust you, I won’t tell you.
3. Regular – Weekly, costly, important. Keep you on track. Try to be there.
4. Service – Help other places needing help. Other ministries, nursing homes, homeless shelters, Emmaus Walks/meetings, rivals, etc.
5. Church – Be active in church!
6. Prayer – Pray for open heart, regular attendance, good numbers, and more.
7. Covenant – Agree to support each other using Biblical principles.
8. Contract – Length of time for the small group, duration of the small group
9. 1/3 Rule – A good rule is to use 1/3 for Bible study, 1/3 for open discussion and 1/3 for prayer.

About the Author

Steve Patterson

A Christian Blogger that enjoys blogging about the Bible, Theology, God, Jesus Christ, Christian Music, Family, Cats, Odd Holidays, sewing and much more. I have been blogging since 2004, however, I have been blogging on Courageous Christian Father since 2012. I enjoy listening to Christian Music. I am married with 1 daughter, 2 step-sons and a step daughter.

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