Fight the Good Fight of Faith, English Edition

Lesson : The Endurance We Display • 

a. What should we do when we meet trials of various kinds (v. 2)?

b. What happens when steadfastness has produced its full effect (v. 4)?

c. If we lack wisdom in facing our trials and tribulations, what does God advise us to do (vv. 5-8)?

As fighters in the good fight of faith, we are called to endure, to persevere until the end. To persevere is to go through something, to endure it, neither to hide nor run away from it. As Christians serving Christ in a hostile world, we face the constant temptation of this world system, the inner distraction of our sin nature, and the lying deception of the enemy, the devil. We are under stress, we face difficulties, we are misunderstood. In the midst of these trials, we must count it all joy as we endure them, knowing that the Lord will use them to train us how to wait upon him, and depend on his promise. To persevere is to be stubborn in our faith, but to be so with holiness and confidence. We often have no insight about the reasons for our trials, but we trust God anyway. We must refuse to allow anything that we encounter to so discourage or wound us as to make us turn our backs on the Lord. To endure is to rely on God’s power and provision to remain faithful in our commitment to the Lord. As we go through trials, we can be confident that God will supply our needs – through other believers, through prayer in the Holy Spirit, and through the encouragement of the Scriptures. As you finish this course, know that this is just the beginning. It is always too soon to quit, always too soon to compromise. Stand your ground, and watch the Lord meet your needs. The Appendices you should study and meditate upon relevant to this lesson are the following: The Hump (App. 15) Fit to Represent: Multiplying Disciples of the Kingdom of God (App. 20) Ethics of the New Testament: Living in the Upside Down Kingdom of God (Principle of Reversal) (App. 21) Let God Arise! The Seven “A’s” of Seeking the Lord and Entreating His Favor (App. 23)

Summary

Appendices