Endurance Of Faith

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

looking unto Jesus, the author and  finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb.12:1-2)

Faith is an all encompassing quality of the Christian life. The Bible tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. We are saved by faith. We receive the gifts of God through faith. We walk by faith, not by sight; and we acquire divine provisions through faith. Here are a few things in the Christian life that we accomplish by faith, as listed in Hebrews 11

1. Embracing the unseen – Verse 11:1

2. Obtaining a good testimony – Verse 2

3. Being word centered – Verse 3

4. Enabling sacrificial commitment- Verse 4 & 17

5. Embracing the supernatural – Verse 5

6. Pleasing God – Verse 6

7. Breeds Godly fear – Verse 7

8.Motivates obedience – Verse 8

9. Enables a pilgrim lifestyle – Verse 9

10. Gives us an eternal perspective  – Verse 10 & 24-27

11. Precipitates miracles – Verse 11

12. Enables God’s people to do exploits  – Verse 32-34

13. Enables God’s people endure hardships – Verse 27 & 35-38

In Chapter 12  the author focuses on  endurance as an aspect of our faith. Biblical history reveals that God’s people down through centuries have suffered persecution because of their faith and the word of the Lord they proclaim. Some scriptures even tell us that we should expect to be persecuted.

“ But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, ¹¹ persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. ¹² Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2Ti 3:10-12)

Jesus our master suffered and told his disciples to expect persecution – Mt.5:11; Lk.21:12; Jn. 15:20;

Paul also exhorted believers to “endure hardship as a good soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ”

He writer of this epistle also exhorts believers towards endurance with a view to:-

1. Following the example of Christ – 12:1-4
2. Endure God’s chastening – 12:5-24
3. Walking in holiness – 12:12-17
4. Avoiding the danger of refusing God – 12:25-29

There is a beautiful statement of our destiny in this chapter which should make us  rejoice and fuel our determination to move forward . ( Heb12: 18-24) What a beautiful statement!