Supplies for our Faith (Perseverance)

Christians should always have their minds set on persevering through trials and various situations in this life. In 2 Peter 1, we have been looking at qualities and characteristics we can add or supply to our faith that can make us grow in our faith. One of those Peter mentions is perseverance. So what is perseverance and why do we need it? 

The Greek word for perseverance is hypomone and it means to endure, be patient, or wait. In today’s terms we might say something like “stick it out” or “just get through it”. This kind of persevering that has a negative or grudging connotation to it is a little far from what Scripture teaches about persevering in our faith. Let’s look at a few verses. 

In Romans 15:4-5 Paul writes, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,”. Paul first off tells us that all of Scripture, and at this point was just the Old Testament was written to teach us. What does it teach? Well of course many things, but Paul specifically points out that it teaches us how to endure or persevere and encourage us. This encouragement and endurance provides us with hope. We also see here that God is the one who provides perseverance. It is not anything in this world or any person that helps us persevere but God alone gives us the power and strength to do so.  

James 1:3-4 says, “because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything,”. James tells us that when our faith is tested, what results is perseverance. The only way to have this patience is to experience situations and trials in which you would need this patience to reach the end. James says that when we persevere and trust God, we become mature in the faith, much to the point Peter is making in our core passage. 

So why all this perseverance and patience? Hebrews 10:36 says, “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” The ability to persevere will help us through trials and temptations that this life is full of. When we persevere by the will of God, we will receive the promise of everlasting life. When we are facing trials of any kind, we must remember that God is faithful and we need to stay faithful to him. He will give us eternal life after we have patiently endured through this life.