Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (Heb. 10:23)
TO PRESERVE SOMETHING is to protect it. Self-preservation is one of the most dangerous forms of narcissism in our world today. We look out for ourselves more than what is best for others. We love ourselves more than we love the other guy. We make decisions that will benefit us instead of the group. We intend to love God and our neighbor as ourselves, but often our wants and desires get in the way. Trying to hang on to what we think we deserve is not the life God wants for us. Preserving or making sure our walk with Christ is solid is good. Preserving our rights, even the right to self, is not.
Persevering is a much better posture for a follower of Jesus. To seek God’s face is what God wants. To run after righteousness is to fulfill the will of God. To stay strong in our faith no matter what circumstances come our way is the quest of making it through today for Jesus and into eternity with Jesus.
Jesus is persevering for you today. Since He came, lived, died, and now lives again, you and I benefit greatly. We have immediate access to God’s throne. Our sins are forgiven when we repent. Our conscience can be completely cleansed. Our hands and minds are pure. We can have an unswerving and unshakeable hope today and tomorrow. We have friends and can be friends who spur each other to do good works. We can enjoy worshiping Christ together. Because of Jesus, there is light at the end of each day, including our final day
Remember that because Jesus hung in there through everything, including the cross, we can too.
Jim Dunn is the executive director of Church Multiplication and Discipleship for The Wesleyan Church. He resides with his family in the Indianapolis area.
