THE POWER IN PERSEVERANCE

James 1:2-8
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a doubleminded man, unstable in all he does.

The other day I was working on the computer with my son. "What's your password?" I asked him. "Keep on," he said. "It's my password for everything." Keep on. Keep on. I confess to a moment of parental pride as I realized my son was learning how critical those two words are to success in life.

The biblical word for "keep on" is endurance or staying power--the ability to keep from faltering under the pressure. Nothing is more essential to success in the Christian life than that. Faith gets you started, but perseverance keeps you going.

This matter of perseverance is so critical in following Jesus that James 1:2-4 tells us that above all other human traits, perseverance is the characteristic that God wants to build into our lives. Perseverance is what--over time--will make you "mature and complete, not lacking anything" (v.4).

What do you do when the pressure's on? It's easy to start a race, but when the miles click past and your muscles tire, it becomes tempting to quit. It's easy to put on a white dress or tuxedo and get to the front of the church, but a lasting marriage takes work. It's easy to say a prayer or walk an aisle, but to keep following Jesus--that takes staying power. If God can get perseverance into your life, He can give you everything else.

Why do so many Christians stall or stagnate in their faith? Because they give up! Why do so many relational breakups reveal a pattern of unresolved conflict? Why do so many Christians circle around the same flaws in character and conduct again and again? Because when times get tough, their feet get moving in the wrong direction. They choose a change of scenery over a change of heart.

Staying power is the funnel through which all godly virtue flows. There's nothing good that God brings into your life by way of transformation that He doesn't bring through your perseverance. Keep on! --James MacDonald

DESTINATION POINTS

* Am I tempted to quit? I'll ask the Lord for strength and faith to persevere.
* Do I need energy to persevere? I'll share what God is doing in my life with someone and watch my faith be revived.

bottom line: Christian virtues flow from perseverance.

soul journey