On Sunday, Dave wrote a communication card that expressed a very interesting point. It said:

What do you think of this statement?

“The mark of a true Christian is not tongues, prophecy, spectacular abilities (or even simple obedience), but rather patient endurance that produces maturity.”

Then, he referenced a number of verses I’ll quote here:

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. — Heb 10:23

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

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God… He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death… He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it… To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations… — Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26

These are just a few of the verses he referenced.

I think he raises a very important point that perhaps we don’t deal with adequately. It’s the question of what makes for a true believer. Some have mistakenly thought that the issue relates to whether a person once saved can lose his or her salvation. However, the more accurate issue is whether the person is actually saved.

See the Bible regularly talks about people who are being saved, people who will be saved, and people who have been saved. The Bible also tells us that once a person has been adopted into the family of God, he or she can never become un-adopted. We are told that no one can snatch us out of the hand of the Father. But we are also told that those who endure to the end will be saved and those who fall away display evidence that they were never truly saved in the first place.

Of course, we could run around the philosophical and theological debates, but for now, we are still just focusing on the words Jesus himself spoke.

Hovering on these two phrases, how would you answer this question? How does endurance relate to salvation?

…but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. — Matthew 24:13

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. — John 10:27-28

BIG IDEA FOR THE DAY: How does endurance relate to salvation?

Published by Pastor Jeff August 27th, 2008
Uncategorized.