Steadfast Endurance!

Anyone who reads the Scriptures with an unbiased eye can see for themselves that something is seriously wrong in the professing church. Either the Bible is in error or those who call themselves Christians are living a lie! The preachers don't seem to care one way or the other. They just go about their merry way avoiding the hard stuff and trying to keep everyone comfortable. The present state of lukewarmness testifies to the darkness of the hour.

Scripture presents salvation in MUCH different light than the average preacher. Jesus Himself said only a FEW would find eternal life, Matt7:13-14, and that MANY would take the road to destruction. But most professing Christians are not acquainted with these things. They have been told that the message Jesus preached was for another time & doesn't apply to them. The Gospel is summarized in such passages as John3:16 & Rom10:9-10. People are told to merely 'believe' & confess and that's the end of it. Nothing more is required, it's not of 'works' lest anyone should boast! Eph2:8-9  But is this really ALL the scriptures have to say about salvation? Let's take a look at a few passages and see what we can find:

1) 1Tim5:22, 6:12 "Keep yourself Pure! & Lay hold of eternal life!"

Here the same man who wrote the passages in Rom10:9-10 & Eph2:8-9 is telling a young minister to 'Lay Hold' of eternal life. Said literally: 'Take Possession of an objective!' AND to Keep himself Pure by NOT sharing in other people's sins. Strong language for someone who has obviously 'believed' on Christ & NOTHING he does matters. But it follows throughout the NT!

2) Rom2:7-10 "Eternal life is given to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor and immorality."

Here the Apostle is contrasting the righteous & wicked. Those who 'obey not' the truth, will suffer indignation and wrath. Foreign concept to modern preachers who Never speak of God's judgment against disobedience. But here it is in vivid reality!

Paul is saying: 'those who by 'Steadfast endurance' continue in the faith, seeking glory, honor & immortality, will receive from the Lord, according to their deeds; eternal life or eternal death!

Fits perfectly with the Words of Christ in Lk13:24, "Strive (make every effort) to enter by the Narrow Gate, for many I say to you will try and NOT be able!"

Why then is it ignored by the vast majority of preachers & professing Christians as though it doesn't matter? No wonder the churches are destitute of godly behavior, they believe a lie!

This exact same phrase, 'Steadfast Endurance' is used numerous times in scripture expressing the awesome importance of continuing in the faith for salvations sake.

3) Luke8:15 The parable of the sower explained. ONLY those who by 'Steadfast endurance' (translated patience in most bibles) build upon the solid Rock of truth will remain saved! Contrast this with verse 13 were Jesus said they 'believed for a while' and in time of trail fell away. Such is the nature of modern salvation. People are told to 'believe', but not 'Continue'. No wonder Jesus said only a FEW would find eternal life.

4) Rom8:24-25 "We eagerly wait for the hope of eternal life with Steadfast Endurance!"

Many today would think this is 'another gospel' Gal1:6, not the ONE preached by Jesus, Paul and the other disciples. But read it for yourself! The HOPE of eternal life is 'in the age to come' Mk10:30, ONLY for those who persist in doing good, Rom2:7, and who do not lose hope and give up! Gal6:9. Scripture states that: "Having been justified by His grace we MIGHT become heirs according to the hope of eternal life!" Titus3:7

(This is NOT a misquote, read it in several versions and look up the words for yourself)

5) 2Pet1:6 "With all diligence, add to your faith knowledge, self control, Steadfast Endurance and godliness!"

Here again, Peter is warning us in this portion of scripture to Grow in Faith or return to the bondage of sin and fall away, ending up in hell! (Read verses:5-11) He uses language like:

'Steadfast endurance', 'Diligence', 'Perseverance', 'Make your calling Sure',

WHY do your preachers avoid teaching these things, as they pertain to your salvation? Wouldn't you be better off, eternally, if they WARNED you of the perils, snares & temptations that may hinder your entrance into the Kingdom? Peter said he was saying these things specifically,

"So an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord!"

Sounds like the Apostles were Preaching what they learned from Jesus, NOT telling people it didn't apply. Maybe you should re-evaluate what you're hearing at your church.

6) Heb12:1 "Let us lay aside every weight & the sin which so easily ensnares us and let us run with Steadfast Endurance the race set before us!"

Another warning from the pages of scripture going unheeded by the churches. Here the writer is likening our salvation to a race, much like 2Tim2:5, where Paul says, like athletics, we WILL NOT be crowned unless we compete by the rules! The Real possibility of being disqualified is revealed throughout the New Testament.

2Cor13:5 Tells you to 'examine' yourself, PROVE that Christ is in you by the outworking of an obedient faith. If not your so-called faith may very well be in vain.

1Cor15:2 Also states that by this Gospel you are saved, IF you holdfast to the Word preached, otherwise you will 'believe' in vain!

Believing in Vain means; your faith, as the devils faith, Js2:19, is to NO EFFECT. In other words, you may have 'believed' but because you did not Continue in Obedience you failed to remain in Christ. (Luke8:13)

John3:36 States: "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life and he who does not OBEY the Son shall not see life!"

Would it surprise you to know that MANY passages that use the word 'believe not', are literally translated, 'Disobedience'? Since Real Faith is Obedience to God, it should come as no surprise to anyone that the scriptures speak of disobedience in such terms. However because the false teachers have twisted the meaning of the Gospel message, it would behoove you to KNOW these things before hand, 'For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of confidence Steadfast to the end!' Heb3:14

7) Rom5:3, James1:3, "Trials and tribulations produce Steadfast Endurance!"

Scripture teaches that tribulations TEST the endurance of your faith. Peter told us to rejoice when the genuineness of our faith is tested, 1Pet1:6-9, because it will led to the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls! In the Bible as you partake of the sufferings Christ, you Cease from sin, 1Pet4:1, Phil3:9-10, Christ is blessed and glorified that you Stand Firm against all odds for His Names sake. Your faith is PROVED genuine through trail! 1Pet4:12-14

But in the church the slightest mention of suffering with Christ is considered a 'works' doctrine. Since there is no possibility that your faith could be in Vain, why endure? Ceasing from sin is impossible because no one is perfect. And why would God test your faith if nothing you do matters? People endure because they are saved, not to 'stay' saved!

8) But Christ said, "He who endures to the end shall be saved!" Matt10:22, 24:13, Mk13:13

His loving warning goes out to anyone who would follow, "IF you Stand Firm to the end, you will be saved!" If you Patiently endure, bravely bare & calmly hold firm through all trails and tribulations on the Difficult Path to eternal life, you will enter the Kingdom as a good & faithful servant, wholly obedient to God. That is EXACTLY what the Bible says!

"IF the righteous are scarcely saved (saved with much difficulty) Where will the ungodly and sinner appear!" 1Pet4:18

The Bible teaches something radically different than your local church. Many people today consider themselves Christians because they 'believe' in Christ. But they have not one single shred of Obedient, Steadfast Endurance in their hearts! Don't get caught in this web of religious lies and end up at the Judgment believing in Vain. MAKE EVERY EFFORT NOW to seek Christ in His Word and Discover the Truth for yourself. Some day it will be too late.

"He will present you holy & blameless in His sight, IF indeed you continue in the faith Grounded and STEADFAST, and are not moved from the hope of the Gospel which you heard!" Col1:23

(Who will you believe? God's Word or some smooth talking preacher?)