Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines “persevere” as “to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement.” Perseverance is a “key word” in the Christian’s life because without it one will surely digress into unfaithfulness and ultimately be rejected and burned as the chaff when it has been separated from the good grain (Luke 3:17).
God has neither deceived us by telling us that living a faithful Christian life will be easy, nor has he told us we may win the incorruptible crown of eternal life by charting our own courses (Jeremiah 10:23), or by seeking the downhill path of least resistance. Rather, our Father has revealed how we are engaged in a life and death struggle where our adversary, the devil, wants to separate us from the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls (1 Peter 2:25). Like Peter, Satan wants to sift us as wheat (Luke 22:31). Like a lion, Satan’s heart is definitively set on tearing us “to shreds” in destruction (1 Peter 5:8).
The great news is, however, you and I can escape “the tempter’s charm” and we can overcome in this spiritual warfare because “God is faithful.” In addition to “delivering us out of the kingdom of darkness” (Colossians 1:13), he has given us “access into his grace” (Romans 5:2), along with everything pertaining to “life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). Our Lord’s apostle, Paul, writes, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Yes, God is faithful. God has imposed limitations on Satan’s work and power just as he did in the case with Job. Our victory is in and through Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57)!
