23 Jun W3 | Faith Grind (Endurance)

Posted at 04:33h in July, Topics 2025 by

REFERENCE BIBLE VERSES

Philippians 2:12 (ESV) | “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

OBJECTIVE

To learn the true meaning of endurance that we are meant to embark on. To be encouraged in our endurance.

CONTENT

ENDURE THROUGH OBEDIENCE

  • “Have always obeyed” showed the commendable obedience of the church in Philippi. To consistently be obedient, we need endurance. It means to continue to follow Christ despite the circumstances that surround us. In bad situations, we continue to hang on to the hope we have in Christ and in good times we also keep our eyes fixed on Christ so as not to be distracted. In both situations, we are called to endure because to obey does not come easy to our nature.
  • This endurance does not necessarily always mean to endure hardships but this endurance is to the faith in Christ. That means, in all circumstances, we should learn to discern what God is really saying and pray for the courage to obey it. Since the beginning it has never been the intention of our God to make us suffer (Mat 11:28-30). He even offers consolation and help. So, do not misunderstand endurance for living with hardship. We are called to be obedient and sometimes we need endurance to continue to be obedient.

ENDURE WITH REVERENCE

  • “With fear and trembling” refers to the humble awareness of God's holiness and our dependence on Him for our salvation. This means as we work out our salvation we need to be humble before God who will enable us to endure our faith until the end.
  • When we are faced with challenges, we can ask God whether we should pause for now, pivot to the other direction, or persevere in the pathway. And His answer is what we should strive to obey despite the circumstances. So we are not enduring blindly but we are really expanding our energy for something that really matters in God’s eyes.

CONCLUSION

Spiritual excellence is not a destination but a journey throughout our lives. We are all called to endure the race and to reach the finish line well. And just as in any race, to reach the end, we need to endurance and continue on the path despite whatever is being thrown at us. Therefore we need to humble ourselves and lean on Him so as not to be running on the wrong path and with the wrong method. 

 

Hebrews 12:1 ESV | Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

 

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  • Has there been something that God has been wanting you to do that you have been postponing because you do not want to face the discomfort? If you cannot think of one, what do you think stops you from hearing? (fear, disbelief, doubt)
  • In what ways can fear and trembling deepen your endurance in faith?

REFERENCES