Enduring
by Cathy Vinson |
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An art not readily
taught is enduring. But in the life God has for us, it is of great value. Enduring is not
easy or natural. It literally means to hold up against a thing, bear, suffer (ana-up +
echo-to have, to hold). It is not difficult to understand why enduring is exercised with
hardship..."the persecutions of you and the afflictions which you endure" (2 Th
2:4).
But what else takes enduring? Believe it or not, the truth (that sets us free) is to be
endured and learned to be endured..."endure the word of exhortation" (vs 22).
It seems puzzling that we would have to be encouraged to bear up under and hold up under
the very Word that builds us up and gives us an inheritance (Acts 20:32)! A runner will
extend his run, a weightlifter will add more weights. Why is it that our capacity and
length of hearing and enduring the very best is shrinking?
"For there will be a time when sound doctrine they will not endure" (2 Tim 4:3).
Then we must be learning now to bear with it. Hold still. Let it conform us and transform
us. How we need the word of Life! Endure it. Sacrifice for it. Let the pace of the Word's
transformation within be the pace our lives adapt to. Stay still, and fall in love. There
is a great love to be entered.
"because a love of the truth they did not receive to be saved" (2 Th 2:10,
11,12)... "having not believed the truth, but having pleasure in
unrighteousness."
This is the day to explore the pleasures of the Word. And at the very least, to endure
it!.
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