You Can Endure To The End

"YOU have need of endurance,," wrote the apostle Paul to the first century Hebrew Christians. (Hebrews 10:36) Emphasizing the importance of this quality, the apostle Peter likewise urged Christians: "Supply to your faith. . .endurance." ( 2 Peter 1:5, 6) But what exactly is endurance?

A Greek-English lexicon defines the Greek verb for "endure" as "remain instead of fleeing . . . . stand one's ground, hold out." Concerning the Greek noun for "endurance," one reference work says: " It is the spirit for which can bear things, not simply with resignation, but with blazing hope. . .It is the quality which keeps a man on his feet with his face to the wind. It is the virtue which can transmute the hardest trial into glory because beyond the pain it sees the goal." Endurance, then, enables one to stand firm in the face of obstacles and hardships and not lose hope. Who especially have need of this quality?

All Christians are figuratively engaged in a race that requires endurance. In about the year 65 C.E., the apostle Paul wrote to his fellow worker and faithful traveling companion Timothy these reassuring words: "I have fought the fine fight. I have run the course to the finish. I have observed the faith." ( 2Timothy 4:7) With the expression "run the course to the finish," Paul was comparing his life as a Christian to a race, with a set course and a finish line. By that time, Paul was triumphantly approaching the end of the race, and he was confidently looking forward to receiving the reward. "From this time on," he went on to say, "there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me as a reward in that day." (2 Timothy 4:8) Paul was sure that he would gain the reward because he had endured to the end. What about the rest of us?

To encourage those who have taken up the race, Paul wrote: "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1) As Christians, we enter this endurance race when we dedicate ourselves to Jehovah God through Jesus Christ. A good start in the course of discipleship is important, but what ultimately counts is that we finish the course. Jesus declared: "He that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved." (Matthew 24:13) The prize awaiting those who successfully finish the race is everlasting life! Hence, having a goal in mind, we must endure to the end. What will help us attain that goal?

Next time: Proper Nutrition - A Must

Watchtower, 1999