Perseverance: Grace in Action

James 1:4 “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

From a theological definition, perseverance means “continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.” But we dread the word don’t we? For when we are persevering it is in response to the presence of obstacles and challenges and troubles and worries and so on and so on. Haven’t we had enough of those?! But think of it this way! Obstacles and troubles and such are coming anyway. Indeed, Jesus tells us so in John 16:33. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” So really, perseverance is a gift of empowerment from our wonderful savior to press on! We are able to persevere if we keep our view on this: perseverance is the power of grace that keeps us to the end! Perseverance is grace in action!