Who Am I? I Am Persevering God's Way.

What is perseverance?

Perseverance defined means a continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition. (Merriam-Webster online dictionary)

Why do we need perseverance?

Jesus told the disciples they should always pray, and not faint. (Luke 19:1) 

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.  James 1:12

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 1 Timothy 4:16

These are just a few examples in the Bible where we are instructed to persevere (or continue) for various reasons.  

My personal favorite passage regarding perseverance is: 

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:37-39

How do we persevere God's way? 

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.   Hebrews 11:6

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

Perseverance to the believer does not require making something happen.  It means knowing who you are IN CHRIST and firmly standing in it!  It means not believing what you see with your eyes, but what you know to be true in your life as a child of God.  

We do not have to fight to stay in the love of God in Christ Jesus.  As Christians we are God's Children, nothing in all creation can separate us from that if we "believe that he is".  We have been given the authority to stay in His Love.  

How can you know who you are, your authority in Christ Jesus?  Diligently seek him.  Get to know what He has done for you in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Know who He tells you He is in His Word.  And, get to know who He says you are in Christ.

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.  1 John 4:17

Reflect on the words of Muller: 

  "Over the years the Lord has faithfully taken care of us financially in our work of caring for the orphans by constantly raising up new supporters. God's promise is that they that trust in the Lord shall never be confounded. . . for one reason or another were we to lean upon man we would inevitably be disappointed; but, in leaning upon the living God alone, moment by moment, we are beyond disappointment and beyond being forsaken because of death, or of not having enough to live on or enough love or because of the needs of other works also requiring support. How precious to have learned to stand with God alone in the world, and yet to be happy and confident, and to know that 'no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.' "

Some who read or hear of Muller's adventures of faith say, "Oh, he had a very special gift of faith, but I couldn't live like that!" Muller argues, "It is the selfsame faith which is found in every believer ... Oh, I plead with you, do not think me an extraordinary believer, having privileges above others of God's dear children, which they cannot have, nor look on my way of acting as something that would not do for other believers ... Do but stand still in the hour of trial, and you will see the help of God if you trust in Him."