PERSEVERANCE WORKS EXPERIENCE

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope (Rom 5:1-4, KJV). " . . . and perseverance, proven character . . . " (NASB). " . . . perseverance, character . . . " (NIV). "And steadfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope" (ASV).

Devotion 23 of 24

JESUS DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE

Why did Jesus die? Certainly, it was to take away our sins, or "put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself" (Heb 9:26). It was also to "taste death for every man" (Heb 2:9). His death was the means through which the devil was "destroyed," rendered impotent now in the heavenly places, and finally to be cast into the lake of fire (Heb 2:14). In Christ's cross, principalities and powers were plundered (Col 2:15). These are realities that faith can take hold of now, enabling us to live in the benefit and power of them.

Our Lord's death was also designed to enable us to LIVE for Him. Release from sin, the power of Satan, and the dominance of death were in order that we might live unto the Lord. " . . . He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf" (2 Corinthians 5:15, NASB).

And what does it mean to live "for Him" or "unto Him?" Among other things, it means to live consciously and consistently for Jesus. It means the thrust of our lives is upward, to where Jesus is seated at the right hand of God. There is where our affections are placed. There is where our lives are "hid with Christ in God" (Col 3:1-3). The Lord cannot be served by seasonal or cyclical religion. Make no mistake about this, an inconsistent life is not being lived for Jesus!

The vicarious, or substitutionary, death of Jesus, provided God with a just basis for remitting our sins and making us "partakers of the Divine nature" (2 Pet 1:4). While our sins are remitted gratuitously, it is not only gratuitously. Because of Christ's sacrifice God is "faithful and JUST to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all iniquity" (1 John 1:9).

Precisely what bearing does this have upon the subject of perseverance? A great deal, indeed. The requirement for perseverance, or endurance, has been set before us. Only those who "endure to the end" will be saved (Matt 10:22). Faithfulness is required "until death" (Rev 2:10). But we must not allow these requirements to intimidate us, as though they were spoken from Mount Sinai, and were a hard law that could not be fulfilled. Endurance is living "unto Him," and Jesus died so that we could fulfill that requirement.

It should at once be evident this cannot be fulfilled in mere human energy. If that were the case, it would not be necessary for Christ to die. But we could NOT do this in the energy of nature, and Jesus DID have to die. What this means is that God now works in us, "both to will and to do of His own good pleasure" (Phil 2:13). He empowers us to endure, and does so righteously.

Maintain Your Freedom!

Jesus has liberated us from the tyranny of sin, the plague of guilt, and the dominance of Satan. This is true liberty. To put it in the words of Jesus, "If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36). This glorious freedom, however, is not maintained automatically. Perseverance plays a role in keeping the freedom we have been given. "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1, NASB). Your freedom is maintained the same way it began--through your faith. Thus, the primary aspect of perseverance is found in continuing to believe.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus Christ for freeing me from the guilt and power of sin. By your grace, I am determined to fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life.

-- Tomorrow: CONCLUSION TO SERIES --
-- Monday: New Series: WE HAVE AN ALTAR --