Supplements of Faith – Steadfastness

In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance…– 2 Peter 1:5-6 (NLT)

Looking at steadfastness, I am not really surprised it is listed right after self-control. Other Bible versions have used patient endurance, perseverance, and passionate patience instead of steadfastness.

Steadfastness is defined as firmly loyal or constant, unswerving. While perseverance is a steady persistence in adhering to a course of action, a belief or a purpose; steadfastness.

The Christian journey is not for the fainthearted. Seeing what Jesus, the apostles and others that have gone before us endured, it’s obvious that one way or another the same is or will be required of us. A staying power is needed, however, that power is not normal human power but the power of God. “… ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV)

The book of James (chapter 5) encourages believers to stay strong by waiting patiently, using the analogy of a farmer. Farmers wait patiently for their crops to mature and to mature or grow in Christ, a similar patience is required.

Then further on James says, “Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail.” James 5:10-11 (The Message)

We know the story of Job. In the face of great suffering – the death of his children, loss of possessions, and ridden with ill-health – he stayed focused on God. God had a reason for Job’s suffering, though he didn’t understand it. In it all, Job wrestled with God, trusted in His goodness. “In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.” Job 1:22 (NLT)

That steadfastness and resolute belief in God was what Job’s wife couldn’t understand which made her say, “… ‘Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.’  But Job replied, ‘You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?’ So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.” Job 2: 9-10 (NLT)

As believers, it is important to keep in focus our faith and confident trust in God and our eternal hope to be with God. Satan will do everything to distract us, but the author of the book of Hebrews (Chapter 10) encourages us to patiently endure the challenges we face.

“Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.

So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.

But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.” Hebrews 10:32-39 (NLT)

Stay blessed,

LaraLex