Patient Endurance

12/27/2015

Revelation 1.9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

Five times the words patient endurance, or enduring patiently appear in John’s account of Jesus’ address to the Seven Churches. And once, is the word faithful. If we look at Paul’s words in Romans 5, we find him reassuring us that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope which does not disappoint. Today, I hear the words patient endurance.

There are things happening in our world today that are far beyond our ability to cope. There is much fear and an apparent divided culture. Folks are clamoring for someone to do something. We, in our country, are unbelievably close to totalitarian rule where our faith will be tested, and all the things John talked about in Revelation 2 & 3 will come true for us as well. It is a divine calling for patient endurance.

The stories and accounts of the New Testament are all about patient endurance. The truths spoken there are for our equipping because the days of suffering are upon us. We think about things like economies, foreign threats, war, and all the while these distractions keep us from thinking about what we’ll be like when someone forces a law upon us demanding we deny our faith. Who will we be then?

Will we patiently endure the seizure of our property (Hebrews 11); will we remain faithful when the jackboots are at our front doors demanding allegiance to the societal mores? I think these are questions worth considering because we are indeed, that close.

So… What is the strength of the disciple and follower of Christ? Where does he summon the courage to patiently endure the dangerous stupidity and foolishness of mob rule? There is only one place: in fellowship with Him who calls us to patiently endure. We might also say, peacefully endure. A society adrift from the truth will always viciously attack those who attempt to bring it back.

Jesus said this: Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (John 15.4-7) We’re to abide in Him.

And we’re to love. We’re not only to love Jesus steadfastly and fiercely, but we’re to love each other that way as well. And we to love our enemies – those who will persecute because we don’t cow-tow to their will and way.

And we’re to remember our brothers and sisters around the world who’ve already walked the painful path of persecution, and done such with amazing patience and endurance – they’ve seen the Lord and know He is good.

Lord Jesus, my prayer is to walk with You daily, and learn the gift of patient endurance – amen.