Perseverance

If one were to mention the word perseverance to many Christians, most would probably automatically assume a number of things. However, the theology of perseverance in the New Testament is not strictly based on the standard Calvinist/Arminian debate, nor is it simply the idea of how to get through life. While those things are covered by the writers of Hebrews through Revelation, there is a much simpler and all encompassing thread to the idea of perseverance.  

The Christian life can be simply defined as a life ‘in Christ’. Hebrews 3:6 says that Christians are of Christ’s house; part of the family so to speak. It is what occurs next that has people scurrying for their preconceived theologies; we are of his house ‘IF’. A reader of this chapter from start to end would have already noticed that this writing is to those who are already “partakers in a heavenly calling” (Hebrews 3:1). This confusion of uncertainty is put to rest in v14, where all is summarised clearly: "We have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end." Notice the past tense underlined. This sounds like a seeming contradiction, but in the negative, if we do not hold fast in the past, then we will not have become partakers. So then it would seem that this holding fast is evidence rather than a condition, especially given that demonstration of belonging seems necessary to New Testament writers (e.g. 1 John 2:19). In light of all of this, the hope and confidence (Heb 3:6) of the Christian is that based in the past, and also the future, as Hebrew 10:23 notes that He who has made promises to those of his house is faithful in the keeping of such.

This begs the question of the nature of these promises. A clue can be found in 1 Peter 1. There is the promise of protection (v5) for those who are to inherit salvation. Those who are to inherit are chosen by God (1 Pet 1:1-2) and given a hope (v3). This shows both sides of the coin, in that there is neither a lack of confidence or security that He will bring us to heaven, nor is there some sort of automatic get-out-of-hell-free card with an unquestionable right of entry into heaven. The promise of how this will all occur is also based on God. He will inspire, build strengthen and nourish our faith, not just for the sake of faith, but to counter the only thing that will bring death; a lack of trust in God (v5). Basically, these promises are to keep at bay our unbelief. He does all of this because it pleases Him (Heb 13:21), but not at the expense of our free will.

Given then that it is entirely by God working that one is in a position of salvation, the conclusion might be drawn that man has no responsibility. However, early in Hebrews the writer points to a fear that every follower of Christ should have so as to attain God’s promised rest. Having previously used Israel as an example of unbelief (Heb 3:19), the author goes on to say the one thing we should fear is a lack of trust in God (4:1). So then, quite simply, man has a responsibility to fear the possibility of coming short of Gods rest. This fear is touched on a fair amount in Hebrews, as earlier readers are advised to pay close attention to the message of hope already outlined (2:1). They are told to watch their hearts for unbelief (3:12) and to not let them get hard (3:8), as they look to Jesus (3:1). So, just as a stain on the lips served as a warning of the dangers of spice to residents of Arrakis, so fear of unbelief serves as a warning to bring those of Christ’s house back into the peace of trust in God. It also must be noted that this is by no means a task for lone-ranger Christians. Followers are actually told to watch each other’s backs when it comes to this kind of thing. In fact, Christians are to exhort each other, to urge and encourage each other toward the hope promised. The reason for this is also given; to combat sin’s deceit (Heb 3:12-13). Being apart from God wouldn’t be so accessible if it wasn’t deceptively attractive, deceptively logical and deceptively immediate. This is exactly why, to safeguard his people in salvation (1 Pet 1:5), God provides Christian community so that each one can help the other to hold onto his/her confidence until the end, that confidence being Christ (Heb 3:14). Therein lies a responsibility for each member of the community: to uphold each other, which to some extent places the blame of unbelief on those who could otherwise have helped, having a degree of faith themselves. It is all there in black and white to be obeyed (Heb 10:24-25). But that may then pose the question of how obedience fits into this whole scenario and what that has to do with love for a brother or sister in Christ.

We have been told by a variety of traditions that obedience to doctrine is the way to get better acquainted with God. There is also the opposing view that says that spiritual experience is the way to achieve this. Given such polarity, it might then be odd to suggest that these two are parallel lines towards the truth. This is exactly what John is saying to the readers of 1 John: “We come to know God if we keep his commandments (1 John 2:3)”. But he doesn’t end there. He then goes on to say that a person who says they know God but doesn’t keep his commands does not have the truth in him. A familiar thread is again appearing here. Obedience is evidence that a person is ‘in Christ’ (1 John 2:5), not a condition that needs to be humanly met. It is also the proof of the perfection of the love of God in a person. This is the connection between exhorting fellow Christians and obedience to do so: it is all an outworking of the love of God (1 John 1:7, 4:12). One cannot enjoy the assurance of standing sinless before God in righteousness and light, if ones walk is in darkness, disobedience of God's commandments, and hate for your brother. Someone cannot say they know God’s love and disobey, because to know God evokes obedience out of free will. You might say that disobedience is simply a lack of trust in who God is and for his promises.

What then is to be made of the idea that a certain level of disobedience cannot be repented of. This sounds entirely preposterous given the ground covered so far, but the author of Hebrews raises the issue. He speaks of a person who has had a religious experience and actual blessing but then changes direction and backtracks spiritually. This person is said to be unrenewable because they brought shame to Christ (Heb 6:4-6). This sounds a lot like losing one’s salvation all over again, but we know from previous verses that it cannot. What this passage is saying is that turning to impurity and unbelief is aligning ones’ self with the crucifiers of Christ and making out that those things are better than those things that Christ offers: the power, love and wisdom of Christ. This passage does not rule out the possibility that one who genuinely believes to be chosen by God may become hardened to the point of never returning to Him. However, again this all seems to point to never having been saved in the first place i.e. ‘before the foundation of the world’ (Heb 6:17) and unchangeable from that point in time. Following the raising of this issue is an illustration of two fields; one fruit filled which is kept and blessed, the other fruitless causing its destruction (Heb 6:7-8). The explanation is given that neglect of the practice of holiness spells a hardening of the heart to the point of no return (Heb 3:12). This must be speaking of non-believers, because later on it is explained that Christ’s death has already perfected those who are being sanctified (Heb 10:14). Therefore drifting can only mean that they were never joint heirs with Christ in the first place, otherwise he would not be “...able to keep you from falling... (Jude 24)”.

Just because we are in Christ, will not fall and Gods love is empowering us, does not mean we will not feel like we are in strife, in fact its supposed to come with the territory. This is all part of the grand scheme of perseverance. Enduring hardship requires strength and so we must look to the only one who can adequately provide (1 Peter 6:19-20). In fact, injustice towards followers of Christ is actually what we are called to endure (1 Pet 6:21). Enduring with Gods patience will not only enable others to see God through us, but also be part of our sanctification (1 Pet 5:10).

We see then that perseverance is less an abstract concept and more the entire point of the Christian life. Not only should followers of Christ be assured that they are in Him by their obedience and steadfastness, they should also be seeking to aid others in their walk with Christ out of love for their spiritual family member to guard each other from unbelief. In enduring the unpleasantries of life only in the strength of God, not only do they serve to show God to those around them by his very attributes, but also grow in spiritual maturity; all this from simply tasting of God in the first place.