What Comes Before Endurance?
In the first chapter of the Letter of James we find these words:
2My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy 3because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance 4 and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
James reminds us that endurance leads to a complete and mature faith. But what precedes endurance is times of trial and testing. When God tests us, it is not to see if we “pass” and are thereby considered to be acceptable to God. We are already accepted by God. That is the very definition of grace, that we are loved and accepted, no strings attached and no if’s, ands, or buts. We are accepted because God is who God is – the one who loves us unconditionally, period, full stop!
So, when God tests us, it is for a different reason. It is to help us grow in faith and to be come more and more like Christ. Testing and trials are an essential part of growing and maturing in faith. And this is where perseverance comes in. It precedes endurance. It is in fact a necessary condition for endurance. I think of it as the link between testing and trials and endurance. I am looking forward to exploring perseverance and its power with you in tomorrow’s sermon.
Grace and Peace, John