“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
Matthew 24:13
Each step that we take and each day that we live in Christ brings us that much closer to the time we shall see Him face-to-Face.
At first glance, it almost seems like Jesus was saying salvation = endurance; yet, from Scripture we know that salvation is “a Gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 6:23a).
Even so, patient perseverance has always been a hallmark of “Pilgrims of the Way.” And, this is likely what our Lord had in mind when He spoke today’s Manna to His disciples (and us). The Greek word “hupomeno” is used here for “endure” and also means “to remain under, stay in place, bear, abide, have fortitude, etc.” Thus, it’s a spiritual picture of “hanging in there” when the easiest thing to do would be to wave the white flag of surrender.
No one ever said the “Pilgrim’s Pathway” would be a bed of roses.
Not hardly.
In fact, the “King’s Highway” is a Road in the wilderness (Is. 40:3) that leads through barren deserts. . .deep, dark valleys. . .marshy bogs. . .and steep, uphill, rocky trails that often leave us bone-tired and gasping for breath.
But, through it all we do not travel alone—for the Master has promised (Mt. 28:20b; Heb. 13:5b).
And, He has also promised to carry our load if we’ll simply stay “yoked to Him” and “cast on Him all our cares” (Mt. 11:28-30; I Pet. 5:7).
Thus, our endurance is dependent upon our daily “entrusting”—i.e., a moment-by-moment “releasing” of our burdens to the One Whose “Grace is sufficient for us” (II Cor. 12:9-10). Only in so doing do we find His Promised Rest and a “renewing of our strength” (Is. 40:31).
As 24-karat gold must first be “tried by fire” to be rid of its dross, so will our faith be proved (tested) by the things we experience (I Pet. 1:6-7). And, so often, this is by “Way of the Cross,” which is the “Way of Suffering;” only then—by way of our endurance—will faith’s faithfulness “produce patience that produces ‘the perfect work’ and leaves us complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:3-4).
It’s only in Christ that this patient endurance increases (Rev. 1:9). And, it’s only in our following in His Footsteps that we can know “the Joy that is set before us” (Heb. 12:2). Only then.
That’s why we’re called into “the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings” (I Cor. 1:6ff; Phil. 3:10b)—for it’s only then that we can “know Him and the Power of His Resurrection” (Phil. 3:10a). So, keep on keepin’ on, Pilgrim. . . “running with patience the Race that is set before you” (Heb. 12:1c). . .for it’s in our daily discipline that we move closer to the “Crown of Righteousness that awaits all those who finish the Course” (II Tim. 4:7-8). Hallelujah!!
September 26, 2011
