Perseverance Pays!

James extols the virtue and value of perseverance when he writes: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

The mark of a mature Christian is to be able to patiently persevere, despite the pressures, in the practice of faith day after day. And perseverance pays off big time over time.

When you persevere it causes you to mature. The Greek word here (teleos)means like a rose budded to completion. As I said Sunday, it is like an acorn that grows to become a mighty oak tree. It is through perseverance that you fulfill your purpose.

Also, perseverance enriches your life so that you’re “not lacking anything” (v.4). Specifically, it means lacking nothing which God intended for you. You come to realize that you are rich! That is why you should not resent trials. Trials come to enrich you, not rob you. With perseverance, this is what they mean to you. Perseverance pays!

A snail was slowly crawling up an apple tree. A worm peeked out of a tiny hole in the tree and told the snail, “No sense going up any higher, there’s no apples left up at the top.” The snail said, “There will be by the time I get up there.”

So keep on persevering, climbing because God’s promises will, in time, come to fruition in your life. Keep on believing keep on growing…it pays!

Devotedly yours,