Be Persistent!

Be persistent!  The Bible instructs believers to “…not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9 ESV).  Thomas Edison said, “The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense.” President Calvin Coolidge stated, “Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence.”

Be persistent in excellence. Excellence is striving to do your best. Excellence is not perfection because perfection is an attribute held only by God. Nevertheless, excellence is a self-imposed expectation to excel to your very best in every endeavor.

Be persistent in good works. Paul encourages the Galatians not to grow weary for in time they would reap, if they didn’t give up (Galatians 6:9).  The Psalmist in the 73th Psalm expressed weariness in doing good because he lost sight of the eternal benefits of doing good. Apply stick-to-itiveness to you good works and keep your heart “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2 KJV).

Be persistent in word. Jesus taught “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’” (Matthew 5:37 ESV).  If you say it, then do it. Nothing reveals the character of a man like his word. As much as is possible, be persistent to your word. Napoleon Hill said "Persistence is to the character of man as carbon is to steel.”

Be persistent in prayer. Jesus taught that we “ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1 ESV). Persistently and boldly bring your request to the Lord. Jacob wrestled with the Angel of the Lord and would not let go until he blessed him (Genesis 32:24-26).  Do not grow weary in praying but persistently bring your prayers to the Lord. Follow @pastorbarr

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Back to the Basic

Back to the Basic

The social cultural in our nation toward Christianity appears to be turning sour. Basic value issues like marriage and the value of life that most Christians considers paramount are viewed by many as being intolerant, outdated, and hateful.  This seems to be especially true in metropolis areas of our nation. The question that begs an answer is how did we get here?

Often the evangelical church goer will recite the usual Christian platitudes, “it’s a sign of the end times” and “the Bible says the love of many will wax cold.” Do we know it’s the end times since the Bible tells us that no one on earth knows? Is it possible that we have dropped the ball and instead of examining our ministry; we are making another excuse? Isn't that waxing cold?

A great amount of emphasis is put on the necessity of evangelism and discipleship by church leadership as a cure for the decline in our nation’s moral convictions. Without question these are needed areas within today's ministry that need improvement.

However, there may be two elements that lay at the base of the decline of Christian effectiveness to influence our culture.  These elements have been forgotten or are being ignored. Take for example the two verses found in Hebrews:

 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)

While verse twenty-five has been used by pastors over the ages to beat the membership into attending every service, verse twenty-four goes virtually ignored. The concept that the meeting of the body should be to encourage believers to love and good works. A concept that is unknown to many believers.

We, the believers in Christ, must earn the right to be heard. It is not a given! We must love and not just one another!  We must love those unsaved souls that differ with us. We must love even when our views are opposed; and our values are spurred. We must love when it is inconvenient. It must be sincere love with holy motivations; and it must be a consistent love. Only when they see that kind of love will today’s culture listen.

Accompanying love must be action. The army of believers in this nation must “stir up one another to love and good works.”  Unfortunately, many in our nation see the local church as a taker and not as a giver.  Why? Many local church ministries are in a maintenance mode. Everything they do is internal. They fix the roof, expand the playground, hold their banquets and keep the membership content and happy. They are seen doing very little for the community. There is a real void in good works.

Perhaps we need to return to these basic elements. We need to love like Jesus did; and to acknowledge that we were saved for good works beyond the church doors.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10 ESV)

“For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:15-16 ESV

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