Jesus’ promise for our endurance is salvation. Salvation is not just making heaven but is promised wholeness at the end of the trials we’ve faced. We saw from the book of Hebrews 12:7 it was for discipline that we had to endure. Discipline is about training. Every situation in life we find ourselves in works in us to produce a greater level of Christ like character with the ultimate goal to love others as He has loved us.
We have been predestined as His children to conform to the image of His son. Until we learned our lesson, training continues. None of us have arrived to the perfect son but we do strive for that standard where we are able express nothing less than His character in all circumstances.
Paul wrote that in all situations God is at work in us and he works all things together for our good. In these two scriptures lie His supernatural hand working to conform us into His image.
John chapter 15 tells us that Jesus is the vine and His Father is the husbandman. The caretaker, the one who works with the vines and branches (which we are). These branches are trained to grow in a certain direction. Pruned when needed and removed when they are no longer bearing fruit for His purpose. Welcoming and scary thoughts at the same time.
While we come to know our Father as the one who cares for us we are willing to be submitted to the Father of our Spirits and live. When we continually resist or refuse the training process there is the danger of being removed. Its the age old argument, are we eternally secure? Are we once saved, always saved? I don’t suppose its a question for those of us who are always moving towards confirmation and adoption as sons.
Suffice to say, in the situations of life, we must endure until the end to find His wholeness manifested in us. We are NOT enduring if there is no patience. We are NOT enduring where there is anxiety, worry and fear. We are NOT enduring when there is no rest in God. We can only properly endure unto salvation as we stay vitally connected to him. Disconnected we are fruitless in every area of our life.
There are without a doubt many training lessons we must endure, but the overall goal we must come to terms with is seen in Jesus. From 1 Peter 2:22-23, He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return, when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to him who judges righteously.
Count it all joy when you find yourself tempted and remember we’ve not yet resisted to the shedding of blood. Learn the lesson. Endure to the end. Develop the character that expresses Christ and find the wholeness in life God has designed for every son and daughter.