Keys to Wisdom

Part #3

A wise Christian will “Grasp for the Wisdom of God.”  He fully understands that there are four basic disciplines to enjoying and expressing a life of contentment. So far we have covered three of those disciplines, 1.) Attention. 2.) Meditation. 3.) Obedience and this week we look at “Endurance.”

Christians must understand their need to apply endurance.  Endurance is continued obedience to God even under pressure or persecution.  This is the very endurance found in the heroes of the faith in Hebrews chapter 11.

It is a Christ-like endurance the writer of the Book of Hebrews calls Christians to so they can walk in the wisdom of God.  Hebrews 12:1-2 says; “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross…” (NAS)  The word “endurance” (hypomone) as it is used here refers to the endurance that is needed for a lifelong, long-distance race.  The practical application is a determination that is unhurried, goes steadily on and refuses to be deflected.  Satan’s and the world’s obstacles do not turn Christians away from their God-given vision.  Discouragements do not take these Christians hope away.  They have a steadfast endurance that carries on until the end.

The key to success in the Christian life is the same as it was for Christ and the heroes of the faith found in Hebrews chapter 11.  They took their eyes off their present circumstances and looked ahead to their promised award.   Hebrews 12:3 says, “Consider [Christ] who endured such opposition from sinful men…” Why, “…so [we] will not grow weary and lose heart.”  Remembering the promises of God and their heavenly reward keeps Christians steadfast.

If there is one character flaw that Christians should be without, it would be that they are quitters. They are admonished, over and over again to endure, to stay in the fight to the very end, through finding strength in Christ.  Christians are only able to endure the hardships that come upon them by getting into the Word of God and learning more and more about Christ.  The more they know the truth found in God’s Word and Christ as revealed by the Written Word, the more they pray for illumination of the Holy Spirit.   They take every thought captive and make it obedient to Jesus.  Thus they do not grow weary and discouraged because they focus on the Lord’s end results and not the here and now.   Christians have the promise of Christ in fulfilling the “Great Commission,” “…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

Christians who are allowing the Lord to do a work in their lives will be empowered to achieve God’s purposes in and through their lives.  The Christian who takes a stand for Christ and for righteousness is not popular with those in this world and even some in the church. Enduring Christians are like Moses, “…[who] regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value… because he was looking ahead to his reward.”  (Hebrews 11:26)

Christians who find God’s wisdom in their service to Him are those who endure to the end for the sake of Christ.