PERSEVERANCE WORKS EXPERIENCE The fruit of justification is NOT unrelated to our subject! Perseverance, in our case, is the fruit of justification. It impacts upon our character because we are a new creation (2 Cor 5:17). If we were not "born again," difficulty would quickly dissipate our strength, much as it did the Israelites of old. The "newness of life" into which we have been raised (Rom 6:4) provides a spiritual environment in which true character can be developed. Apart from that "newness of life," character is unchangeable. As it is written, "Can Ethiopians change their skin or leopards their spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil" (Jer 13:23). -- Tomorrow:
"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).
If character could be made acceptable to God independently of Divine influence, we would need no Savior. The very concept of being "saved" postulates a helpless and hopeless situation. Salvation would not be required if men could correct their natural condition. Let there be no mistake about that natural condition. We "were dead in trespasses and sins: wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others" (Eph 2:1-3).
Someone might object to this line of reasoning, pointing to great men of faith like Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David. They endured without being "born again," a blessing reserved for those in Christ Jesus. These men, however, were ahead of their time. They were not representative of the masses of men prior to the day of salvation, or of the natural capability of mankind. Their faith was their distinction. They did not demonstrate a moral power inherent in humanity. Rather, they confirmed the power of God by relying upon Him.
These men were the exception prior to, and under, the Old Covenant. Even though they lived by faith, transcending others of their time, and obtaining a "good report through faith, [they] received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect" (Heb 11:39-40).
Those who persevered before this "day of salvation" (2 Cor 6:2) were by no means standard people. They excelled during spiritually inferior times, living by faith with only a sparse amount of revelation from God.
Perseverance, however, is the standard of the New Covenant--it is the norm! It is ONLY those who endure "to the end" that will be saved (Mark 13:13). It is justification that enables perseverance, or patience, to be the Kingdom standard. Divine acceptance without a trace of guilt remaining, opens the door to productive and consistent living. It is no wonder that the faith in the fifth chapter of Romans states the case so powerfully. "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (vs 1-5).
There is a wonderful progression in spiritual life that leads believers to persevere. They stand the test of time, and withstand the assaults of the devil. They continue to run in storm, flood, fire, and wind. They hold on their way when grievous circumstances cast dark clouds over their path. It is ever true, "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isa 30:29-31).
PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ I thank you for the wonderful enablement of Your justifying power.