Endurance

I remember taking eye exams as a child and being quite proud that I could stand back twenty feet
from the sign with all the random letters and read each one. Ive had 20/20 vision for as long as I can
remember. Ive never worn glassesnever needed to.
Lately my perfect eye sight isnt so perfect. The revelation that my eye sight isnt up to par came one
night as I was attempting to drive in the rain. It wasnt a downpour, it was a normal rainfall, yet I
found myself squinting to see the white lines and everything looked like a bright reflection. Reflection
of what, I dont know, but I knew I couldnt see. Then later I realized I couldnt read signs that were
far away. I finally accepted that I no longer have 20/20 vision and needed to go to see an eye
doctor.
As Ive continued to walk with the Lord I have also had seasons of blurred vision. When we first
become a Christian the future seems bright, everything is exciting, and there may even be freedom
from past sin. But then the reality of the Christian walk sets in. We battle with sin, trials come, dry
seasons leave us parched for the Lord and we realize what once bright and clear and wonderful has
become confusing and difficult. We are in a torrential downpour and unable to see through to the
other side. Our vision of God gets distorted and we can become discouraged.
A Race Requiring Endurance
Because of our inability to see the future and our temptation to forget the Lord we need endurance
for the race set before us. I imagine the writer of Hebrews knew our tendency to forget Gods grace
and purposes as we run the race of faith. Running a road race requires significant endurance. Each
time I run a 5K I am well aware that I have to complete approximately 3.2 miles. At the starting line
my mind is clear and my vision for the finish line seems secure. But around mile two Im ready to
quit. Surely we are finished I think to myself.
That is why Hebrews reminds us to run with endurance the race set before us (Hebrews 12:1). The
Christian walk requires endurance because we battle along the way. We arent promised to have an
easy race ahead of us and we need 20/20 vision to understand Gods good grace to endure.
Here are just three reasons we need endurance:
1)
To fight against sin: Our battle with sin requires endurance. Paul explains that we have not
arrived at perfection upon conversion. Though we want to do good evil is right there beside us
(Romans 7:15-20). And as Christians we hate this. We dont want to sin because we know its
against the God we love. We battle our flesh as we wait for the day when we will be freed from this
earthly battle that clings so closely to us. Our battle with sin can tempt us to discouragement or even

condemnation. But we know that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
We can run this race with endurance battling sin along the way knowing that one day we will be
united with Christ, glorified (Colossians 3:4). And we wait knowing that he will finish the good work
he began (Philippians 1:6). We wait resting not in our good works but in His finished work on the
cross.
2)
To endure trials: Trials will come. God warns us not to be surprised when the fiery trail comes
(1 Peter 4:12). God tells us that trials test our faith and ultimately are for our good (James 1: 2-18).
Trials arent beyond the sovereign plan of the Lord. He gives and he takes away (Job 1:21). He also
gives grace through trials. Trials are difficult, Jesus knows and endured trials and death on our
behalf. He was tempted in every way but without sin (Hebrews 4:15). It is Jesus who gives us the
grace to endure the trials of the Christian walk. He will give us the grace to wait patiently through our
blurred vision as we might not see all of Gods purposes in them. But future grace awaits.

Question: "What does it mean to endure hardship (2 Timothy 4:5)?"

Answer: Second Timothy contains the poignant testimony of theapostle Paul,
who says his life is being poured out like a drink offering and the time of his
death had come (2 Timothy 4:6). In verse 5 he says, But you [Timothy], keep
your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist,
discharge all the duties of your ministry. There was no better man than Paul
to give advice about endurance under suffering for the Lord Jesus. Paul had
been imprisoned, beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, hungry, cold, and destitute (2
Corinthians 11:2328). In spite of all this and more, Paul managed to endure
the suffering, finish the race, and keep the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).
Hardships come in a variety of ways. Temptations, illnesses, lost jobs,broken
relationships, and persecution for ones faith are all forms of hardship.
Christians should not be taken by surprise when hardships come: Jesus
warned us, In this world you will have trouble (John 16:33). The good news
is that Jesus followed up His warning with this word of encouragement: But
take heart! I have overcome the world. We can endure by His grace.
To endure is more than just continuing to exist; it is continuing to exist in
thesame manneras before the suffering began. If Paul had lived through his
sufferings but at some point had thrown up his hands in defeat, stopped being
obedient to God, or no longer worked for the cause of Christ, he would not
have endured. If he had responded to his sufferings with an attitude of
bitterness, anger, or retaliation, then Paul could not have said that he
endured.
Pauls response to suffering was not to buckle under the weight of
circumstance but to realize Christ has called His church to endure hardship
(John 16:33;Luke 14:27). Paul said that he rejoiced because in his flesh he

was filling up what was lacking in Christs afflictions (Colossians 1:24). Every
time Paul was beaten, chained, or hungry, he identified more with Christ in his
flesh. Paul could rejoice because suffering in his flesh for the sake of the
church is a privilege of sharing in the sufferings of Christ (Philippians 3:10).
As Christians, we should turn to God with our suffering, and He will be faithful
to help us undergo every trial and overcome every temptation (1 Corinthians
10:13). We can learn to have the same joy as Paul had during trials, knowing
that suffering produces virtues such as endurance, godly character, and lively
hope (Romans 5:35).
To endure does not mean simply to grin and bear it. Christians will feel sad,
betrayed, or even angry at times. These emotions in and of themselves are
not bad; they only become sin when we allow them to take root in our lives
and produce bitterness, evil thoughts of revenge, or unforgiveness. Believers
must remember that everything that comes into our lives is under the control
of a sovereign God who has promised He is working all things out for the good
of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans
8:28).
Jesus is the ultimate example of someone who endured hardship (Hebrews
12:2). The author of Hebrews reminds believers of Christs perseverance at
the hands of sinners. Jesus, in spite of great suffering, never turned back,
even from the cross (Hebrews 12:24).Hebrews 12:2says Jesus endured the
cross for the joy set before him. Although Christ knew the suffering the cross
would provide, His anticipated joy enabled Him to keep going; He knew what
the rewards would bethe redemption of mankind and a seat at the right
hand of God. In the same way, Christians can find hope to endure when we
consider the rewards God has promised us. Do not throw away your
confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you
have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, In just
a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay. And, But my
righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks
back. But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but
to those who have faith and are saved (Hebrews 10:3539).

Enduring Principles
The Foundation: God, Christ, Holy Spirit
Gods revelation in Jesus Christ and continuing presence through the Holy Spirit, as proclaimed by
scripture, is the foundation of our faith, identity, mission, message, and beliefs.
In faithful response to our heritage and continuing experience with God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit,
we endeavor to uphold the following enduring principles (values, concepts, themes) as essential
components of church identity and mission.
Enduring Principles define the essence, heart, or soul of church identity, mission, and message. They
describe the personality of the church as expressed through its participants, congregations, and
affiliate organizations throughout the world.
Some call Enduring Principles core values. Others call them foundational concepts. Use whatever
terms make the most sense in the setting where you are writing, sharing, teaching, or preaching. For
general official purposes, the World Church will use the term Enduring Principles.

Enduring Principles

Grace and Generosity

Sacredness of Creation

Continuing Revelation

Worth of All Persons

All Are Called

Responsible Choices

Pursuit of Peace (Shalom)

Unity in Diversity

Blessings of Community

Each principle follows with statements that help explain its meaning. Each set of statements ends with
we statements that emphasize calling and desired response. The statements following each principle
are not meant to be limiting or comprehensive. They are provided as helps. Use phrases, illustrations,
stories, testimonies, scripture passages, and additional points to provide clarity and understanding for
those with whom you are sharing.

Grace and Generosity

Gods grace, especially as revealed in Jesus Christ, is generous and unconditional.

Having received Gods generous grace, we respond generously and graciously receive the
generosity of others.

We offer all we are and have to Gods purposes as revealed in Jesus Christ.

We generously share our witness, resources, ministries, and sacraments according to our true
capacity.

Sacredness of Creation

In the beginning, God created and called it all good.

Spirit and material, seen and unseen, are related.

Creations power to create or destroy reminds us of our vulnerability in this life.

God is still creating to fulfill divine purpose.

We join with God as stewards of care and hope for all creation.

Continuing Revelation

Scripture is an inspired and indispensable witness of human response to Gods revelation of

divine nature.

God graciously reveals divine will today as in the past.

The Holy Spirit inspires and provides witness to divine truth.

In humility, individually and in community, we prayerfully listen to understand Gods will for
our lives, the church, and creation more completely.

Worth of All Persons

God views all people as having inestimable and equal worth.

God wants all people to experience wholeness of body, mind, spirit, and relationships.

We seek to uphold and restore the worth of all people individually and in community,
challenging unjust systems that diminish human worth.

We join with Jesus Christ in bringing good news to the poor, sick, captive, and oppressed.

All Are Called

God graciously gives people gifts and opportunities to do good and to share in Gods purposes.

Jesus Christ invites people to follow him by becoming disciples who share his life and ministry.

Some disciples are called and ordained to particular priesthood responsibilities and ministries
for the sake of the community, the congregation, and the world.

We respond faithfully, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to our best understanding of Gods call.

Responsible Choices

God gives humans the ability to make choices about whom or what they will serve. Some
people experience conditions that diminish their ability to make choices.

Human choices contribute to good or evil in our lives and in the world.

Many aspects of creation need redemption because of irresponsible and sinful human choices.

We are called to make responsible choices within the circumstances of our lives that contribute
to the purposes of God.

Pursuit of Peace (Shalom)

God wants shalom (justice, reconciliation, well-being, wholeness, and peace) for all of
creation.

Jesus Christ, the embodiment of Gods shalom (peace), reveals the meaning of Gods peace in
all aspects of life.

The vision of Zion is to promote Gods reign on earth, as proclaimed by Jesus Christ, through
the leavening influence of just and peaceful communities.

We courageously and generously share the peace of Jesus Christ with others.

Led by the Holy Spirit, we work with God and others to restore peace (shalom) to creation.

We celebrate Gods peace wherever it appears or is being pursued by people of good will.

Unity in Diversity

The Community of Christ is a diverse, international family of disciples, seekers, and

congregations.

Local and worldwide ministries are interdependent and important to the churchs mission.

The church embraces diversity and unity through the power of the Holy Spirit.

We seek agreement or common consent in important matters. If we cannot achieve

agreement, we commit to ongoing dialogue and lovingly uphold our common faith in Jesus
Christ and the mission of the church.

We confess that our lack of agreement on certain matters is hurtful to some of Gods beloved
children and creation.

Blessings of Community

The gospel of Jesus Christ is expressed best in community life where people become
vulnerable to Gods grace and each other.

True community includes compassion for and solidarity with the poor, marginalized, and
oppressed.

True community upholds the worth of persons while providing a healthy alternative to selfcenteredness, isolation, and conformity.

Sacred community provides nurture and growth opportunities for all people, especially those
who can not fully care for themselves.

We value our connections and share a strong sense of trust in and belonging with one another
even if we never have met.

Some disciples are called and ordained to particular priesthood responsibilities and ministries
for the sake of the community, the congregation, and the world.

We are called to create communities of Christs peace in our families and congregations and
across villages, tribes, nations, and throughout creation.

To see how church members throughout the world express the enduring principles of the church,
follow the link to the statement: We Are One, We Are
Many. www.CofChrist.org/discernment/onemany.asp

Enduring Principles and Basic Beliefs

What is the relationship between enduring principles and Basic Beliefs?
When people try to understand the churchs identity, mission, and message, they bring different ways
of perceiving reality, which leads to different questions.
What is the church like? Enduring Principles are the underlying truths and affirmations that shape the
personality of the church. Enduring principles guide how we live in our communities, families,
workplaces, congregations, and cultures. They describe how we experience and share the gospel and
the church with others.
What does the church believe? Basic Beliefs are the more comprehensive, rational explanations of
what the church holds to be true, arranged in categories that are part of the broader Christian
tradition. Basic Beliefs represent a deepening level of inquiry about the gospel and the church.
We need both ways of expressing the identity, mission, and message of the church, along with the
others described in this document, to ensure that people can explore and experience the gospel in
ways that are the most informing and transforming for them.

Endurance

Transliterated Word
Hupomone
Phonetic Spelling
hoop-om-on-ay'
Definition
steadfastness, constancy, endurance
in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose
and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings
patiently, and steadfastly
a patient, steadfast waiting for
a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance

Netzach
Endurance Hebrew word