Perseverance: Resting in God's Unyielding Grip by Pastor Paul Becker

Phil 1:3-11 & 1 Jn 2:18-27

As followers of Jesus, we are challenged to rethink a common misconception: the idea that perseverance in faith is a struggle of your own making, requiring immense personal effort to hold onto God. This struggle becomes very real when we face the temptation to sin or when we encounter circumstances that shake our faith.

The scriptures reveal a liberating truth: perseverance is fundamentally about God's unyielding and powerful grip on us. It's about God's commitment to complete the good work He began in us, as emphasized in Philippians 1:3-11. This crucial shift in perspective anchors the assurance of our salvation in God’s steadfastness, not in our ability to achieve holiness in our strength. This is good news!

To gain understanding of how this truth applies to us, we return to the metaphor of the Blacksmith used throughout the sermon series on “God’s Work of Salvation in the Order of Salvation.” Like implements chosen from scrapyards to be restored to full enduring strength, beauty and purpose, the Blacksmith keeps us in His grip as He uses the “furnace of trials and temptations”—not to destroy, but to refine, strengthen, and shape us, as revealed in 1 Peter 1:

You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

When it comes to facing temptations, 1 Cor 10:13 reinforces that God is faithful, always providing a way for you to endure without being overwhelmed.

No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.

When we give in to temptation or question God’s fairness, it is evidence of our inability to live holy lives. (Jam 1:14-15; Eph 6:12) Our weakness does not negate God's faithfulness in sustaining us. In the face of our disobedience and judgments about His fairness, God keeps us in His unyielding grip to discipline us. His discipline is not punishment; it is love that perseveres to bring us back to the path of righteousness and trust. (Heb 12:6-11)

Let’s change gears and ask, “What does it look like when God’s work sustains our perseverance?” When we trust God's unyielding grip during trials and temptations, we find rest. Resting in God transforms our wills, enabling us to desire and pursue a consistent pattern of faith and genuine pursuit of holiness.

On Sunday, you heard the testimony about a Christian woman named Annie Duncan of Homer City, PA. It’s a story of what perseverance looks like, as a work of God in our salvation:

In her 90s, Annie was robbed of a jar of coins, brutally beaten, and left to die on her kitchen floor on a cold January night. Her nephew found her the next morning, and she was rushed to the hospital with multiple lacerations and broken bones, including a broken hip. After weeks of healing, she was scheduled for hip surgery.

On the morning of her surgery, Pastor Paul visited her to talk, read Psalms, and pray. When he asked her thoughts about the young man who beat her, Annie replied without hesitation, “I forgive him. I feel sorry for the upbringing he had.” Annie made it through surgery but succumbed to pneumonia weeks later.

At her funeral, many heard the testimony of Annie’s imitation of Christ, forgiving as Jesus did when He said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Like gold refined by fire or a diamond made harder and more brilliant under pressure, God’s unyielding grip and Annie’s rest in His hold demonstrated the power of the gospel in her life. Her union with Christ is now perfect and beyond sin’s grip. This is perseverance, truly a work of God in a believer’s life to stay the course, even in the face of death.

You are encouraged to rest in God's unyielding grip. As He sanctifies you, think of Him as a Blacksmith at His forge. His purpose is not to destroy you, but to refine, shape, and test you to become stronger, more beautiful and everlasting. His ultimate vision for your life is union with Christ, unfettered by sin and full of pure glory!

Perseverance

Our salvation is a work of God.  Scripture reveals the many ways that He accomplishes our salvation.  These ways include Election, Calling, Justification, Sanctification, Perseverance, and Glorification.

R God's grip involves integrating faith into your daily life through intentional practices. Here are some practical ways to do this:

1. Daily Prayer: Start and end your day with prayer. This helps you stay connected to God and seek His guidance throughout the day (Phil 4:6-7) 

2. Scripture Reading: Make time to read and meditate on the Bible on a daily basis. Let God's Word guide your thoughts and actions (Ps 119:105)

3. Gratitude: Develop a habit of gratitude by acknowledging God's blessings in your life. Keeping a gratitude journal can help you focus on His goodness (1 Thes 5:18)

4. Community: Surround yourself with fellow believers. Join a church, small group, or Bible study to find encouragement and accountability (Heb 10:24-25)

5. Service: Serve others with love and humility. Look for opportunities to volunteer and help those in need, reflecting Christ's love (Gal 5:13)

6. Worship: Engage in regular worship, both privately and with others. Worship through singing, listening to music, and expressing gratitude (Ps 95:1-2)

7. Surrender: Surrender your plans and desires to God, trusting that His plans are best for you (Jer 29:11) 

8. Patience and Trust: Practice patience and trust in God's timing, especially during difficult times. Remember that He is in control and has a purpose for your life (Rom 8:28)