READING TIME: 2-3 MINUTES
Sept 30, 2019
David, what should be the proper motivation to obey God, avoid sin, and persevere in the faith?
• Fear of our judgment (the Bema Seat of Christ); “Our Performance Appraisals” (Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 4:5; 9:24-27; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 3:11-15; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; James 1:12; Revelation 2:10, 26b; 3:8-10a)
• Fear of God’s temporal judgment (Hebrews 12:5-11; Revelation 3:19)
• How we live God by His grace will impact on what “level” we reign with Christ during the Millennium (Luke 19:11-27; 2 Timothy 2:12; 2 Peter 1:11). Dr. Constable, in his online notes, says this: “While all Christians will reign with Christ in the sense that we will all be with Him when He reigns, the faithful Christian will reign with Christ in a more active sense.”
• Gratitude for receiving free eternal life and realization that there is no way Christ can love you more than He loves you now (2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Ephesians 3:18-19; 1 John 4:10, 17-19).
• The realization that we’re eternally secure (Romans 8:38-39).
• The realization that we’re spiritually rich (Ephesians 1:3).
• Realization of the incredible greatness of His power, which is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead (Ephesians 1:19-20). God has provided us with everything necessary to successfully run the race and cross the finish line according to the riches of His grace (2 Corinthians 1:8-10; 4:7-14; 12:9-10; Ephesians 3:8, 16; Philippians 3:10; 2 Peter 1:3-4).
• Because of our spiritual standing or position in Christ, we’re on the winning team and a war whose outcome of victory is already certain (John 16:33; Romans 8:37; 1 John 4:4; 5:1, 4).
• We should persevere to the end of our Christian life because this is the only life that offers true joy and fulfillment (Psalm 51:12; John 10:9-10; James 1:15-16).
• We should persevere because spiritual growth and conformity to Christ’s character depend on it (Romans 8:28-30; 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
• We should persevere for the sake of our testimony to others (2 Corinthians 5:20; 6:3-4).
• We should persevere to glorify God (1 Chronicles 16:28-29; Psalm 96:7-8; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 4:15-16; Revelation 4:11).
• Our perseverance is dictated by faith and should emanate from love for Jesus as we look to Him as our ultimate example of perseverance (Hebrews 12:1-3).
• Our perseverance should be stimulated by hope in the Lord as we remember during trials that His grace is sufficient, He’s in complete control, and He always knows best (Psalm 25:3, 5, 21; 37:7). He’s the One who can give us perseverance (Colossians 1:11; 2 Peter 1:2-11).
Sources Used
Constable, Thomas L. “2 Timothy Notes.” http://www.planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/html/nt/2timothy/2timothy.htm.
Lombardi, Joe. “The Building Block of Perseverance.” https://faithalone.org/grace-in-focus-articles/the-building-block-of-perseverance/
Stegall, Thomas L. “7 Reasons Why Every Believer Should Persevere.” http://www.gracegospelpress.org/7-reasons-why-every-believer-should-persevere/
Wilkin, Bob. “Is Perseverance Required for Holy Presentation? Colossians 1:21-23.” https://faithalone.org/blog/is-perseverance-required-for-holy-presentation-colossians-121-23/.