Scripture
21 “A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. 22And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 10:21-22
Observation
Who’s ready to sign up as disciple after that description? As Jesus sent His disciples out in to the harvest field He painted a painful picture. It’s hard to look at the words of Jesus in Matthew 10 and not see a very clear message of persecution and suffering ahead for all who follow Him. That was true for the 1st Century disciples and they knew what they were getting in to. “Beginning at the end of the 1st century, the Roman Empire began an empire-wide, systematic persecution of the church of Christ, Prior to this, the persecution had been very sporadic and localized. From the time of Domitian in the 90’s AD up to the official end of persecution in 313 AD, the church was heavily persecuted by Rome. Thousands of Christians were put to death by the Romans – crucified, burned at the stake, torn apart by wild animals and worse. Yet, through this maelstrom of persecution, the early church – not only survived, but thrived!” (Jack McNeil) This is why Paul said, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). James told us to count all of our trials as a true joy (Jms. 1:2). It’s encouraging to know that even the early church needed a reminder that this was pain was part of the process of faith. “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised” (Hebrews 10:36).
Application
Endurance? Sometimes my faith can’t endure the inconvenience of fighting a flu or an angry email let alone being burned at the stake for my faith. Peter wrote, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strange or unusual were happening to you. (1 Pt. 4:12). Yet, for the 21st Century Christian in America we are very surprised and often offended at God when anything bad happens to us. Why is that? We have been sold a gospel of convenience rather than a gospel of The Cross. Due to the reasonable comfort we’ve experienced here in the US we have assumed that suffering was optional for the faithful and even developed theologies around the idea that God will never allow His followers to suffer loss or pain. Yet, this very idea stands in stark contrast to the words of Jesus and His disciples. No wonder 50% of Christians left the church in the Pandemic and never came back. They had enthusiasm as long as life was good, but the moment it got difficult their comfortable Christianity came crumbling down around them. So, how do we return the enduring and steadfast faith of the 1st Century Church? We need to get GRIT back in our faith! Grit is both passion and perseverance. In her book, “Grit”, Angela Duckworth defines passion as “consistency over time.” Clarifying even more when she writes, “Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare. The ability to persevere in pursuing a future goal over a long period of time and not giving up… It is having stamina. It’s sticking with your future, day-in, day-out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years and working really hard to make that future a reality. GRIT is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.” Eugene Peterson defined this kind of true discipleship as “a long obedience in the same direction.” Following Jesus isn’t always going to be fun. In fact, He promises that it will be the most difficult and most rewarding thing we can do with our lives. I have to come to grips with the fact that much of what I’ve come to understand about Christianity falls far short of what it actually looks like to follow Jesus. If I want to get some grit back in my faith and endure until the end I have to abandon my entitlement and take up His Cross. I have to realize there is a higher purpose than simple self-promotion or self-preservation. As Duckworth says, “The GRITTIEST people see their ultimate aims as deeply connected to the world beyond themselves.” As Jesus says, “38If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. 39If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.”
Prayer
Lord, I don’t want to have a faith that is built on the fleeting enthusiasms of experiential pursuits. I want a teflon faith that doesn’t flinch in the face of trials, doesn’t bow to the pressures of cultural compromises and doesn’t run when it seems everyone else is doing so. I want to walk with a Gritty faith that is both passionate for You and willing to persevere through anything life can throw at me. This life is just the beginning of all You have in eternity. I don’t want to look back on a fickle faith, but rather one that was wholly fixed on You and endures all the way through to that final day.
