September 26th, 2026
by Dr. Ron Harvey
by Dr. Ron Harvey
I do not know whether you have noticed or not, but the Bible says a lot about perseverance. For example—
This is just a sampling of verses, but there are many that cover the subject of perseverance (or endurance). I suppose there is something in us that is prone to quit when the going gets tough. This is probably a sign of spiritual immaturity. So God reinforces this idea of persevering to get us through those times and beyond this tendency. Evidently, we need to be urged toward spiritual maturity.
The mark of a mature Christian is to persevere, despite the pressures, in the practice of faith day after day. The promise of scripture is that perseverance pays!
When you persevere, it causes you to mature. Once again: “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete…” The Greek word for mature (teleos) here in James 1:4 means like a rose budded to completion. Or to use another illustration: It is like an acorn that grows to become a great oak tree. Simply put, it is through perseverance that you fulfill your purpose.
I would add one more thought to this: Perseverance enriches your life so that you are “not lacking anything” (v. 4). Specifically, it means lacking nothing that God intended for you. You come to realize that you are rich! That is why you should not resent trials. Trials come to enrich you, not rob you. With perseverance, this is what they mean to you. Perseverance pays! I hope you get it…
Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron
- “Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith… (Hebrews 12:1-2).
- “We know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us” (Romans 5:3-5).
- “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).
This is just a sampling of verses, but there are many that cover the subject of perseverance (or endurance). I suppose there is something in us that is prone to quit when the going gets tough. This is probably a sign of spiritual immaturity. So God reinforces this idea of persevering to get us through those times and beyond this tendency. Evidently, we need to be urged toward spiritual maturity.
The mark of a mature Christian is to persevere, despite the pressures, in the practice of faith day after day. The promise of scripture is that perseverance pays!
When you persevere, it causes you to mature. Once again: “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete…” The Greek word for mature (teleos) here in James 1:4 means like a rose budded to completion. Or to use another illustration: It is like an acorn that grows to become a great oak tree. Simply put, it is through perseverance that you fulfill your purpose.
I would add one more thought to this: Perseverance enriches your life so that you are “not lacking anything” (v. 4). Specifically, it means lacking nothing that God intended for you. You come to realize that you are rich! That is why you should not resent trials. Trials come to enrich you, not rob you. With perseverance, this is what they mean to you. Perseverance pays! I hope you get it…
Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron
Recent
Archive
2026
January
February
May
July
August
2025
March
November
2024
January
Categories
no categories
Tags
no tags
No Comments