Perseverance: Boring — or Blessing?

What is perseverance and why does the Bible mention it a lot? Because we sure don’t see modern book titles like “30 Days to More Perseverance!” or “How to Persevere in Seven Easy Steps!”

The secular definition for “perseverance” is “steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.” And this is true. But for Christians, there is more. The secondary definition is “Continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.”

Let’s see what the Bible says about it.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4)

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

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

Note that the above passages are similar to each other, but they are from three different writers! The apostles Peter, James and Paul all wrote pretty much the same thing about perseverance and its part in growing us to be more like Christ.

Is Perseverance Grace or Free Will? It’s Both

The Catholic Encyclopedia says it well. “The power of perseverance is neither in the human will alone nor in God’s grace solely, but in the combination of both, i.e., Divine grace aiding human will, and human will co-operating with Divine grace.”

I believe that perseverance is indeed a grace of God, and as humans we may in our free will accept it or decline it. Of course, accepting or declining the grace of perseverance doesn’t make time go any faster or slower. We all have to wait. The difference between perseverance and giving up or just slogging through is that perseverance is active, not passive.

Let’s look at Job. “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)  Job didn’t have any choice about being broke and sick. It happened to him. He had to sit there in his ashes and his boils no matter what.  So what made the apostle James say that Job persevered? Because Job stayed engaged with God. Because he didn’t “go quietly into that good night.” Granted that he was wrong and he learned what God needed him to learn. But he was never passive, never gave up. He acted.

Perseverance Quotes

“Becoming like Christ is a long, slow process of growth.” (Pastor Rick Warren)

“Our motto must continue to be perseverance. And ultimately I trust the Almighty will crown our efforts with success.” (Abolitionist William Wilberforce)

And my personal favorite from preacher and devotional writer Charles Spurgeon “By perseverance the snail reached the ark.”

PERSEVERANCE IS ACTIVE. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1)

Persevere — and be blessed.