Last of 2 parts
AS stated, endurance is the ability to withstand hardship or adversity. It is an
inward strength to withstand stress and do one's best.
Through endurance, "No pain that men suffer and no trial that men
experience is wasted. It ministers to their education, to the development of
such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude, and humility. All that men suffer
and all that men endure, especially when they endure it patiently, builds up
their character, purifies their hearts, expands their souls, and makes them
more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God,"
says Orson Whitney.
Endurance is one of the virtues that must be imbibed by the Church
members which was taught by Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo to the congregants during one of the worship services he
officiated and streamed worldwide.
Last week, a portion of an article titled "Running hard with everything we've
got" written by Brother Alejandro R. Sino Cruz, Jr., INC Minister of the
Gospel, published in the online version of "Pasugo: God's Message"
(https://www.pasugo.com.ph/running-hard-with-everything-weve-got/) was
quoted.
In this issue, the continuation of the remaining part of the mentioned article
will be presented and herein quoted.
"Indeed, Christians should not only finish but also complete the race that
God has set before them. They must take no breaks in their services to
God. Instead, they should keep on running. That is why in his letter to the
Christians in Philippi, Apostle Paul exhorted them to have the same way of
thinking as he had, to never fail in the duty that God entrusts to His chosen
ones: 'My deep desire and hope is that I shall never fail in my duty, but that
at all times, and especially right now, I shall be full of courage, so that with
my whole being I shall bring honor to Christ, whether I live or I die. For what
is life? To me, it is Christ. Death, then, will bring more' (Phil. 1:20-21 Good
News Bible.
"It is true that life in this world is full of dreadful things, things that may
cause people to lose heart. These include chronic poverty and famine,
disasters and calamities, incurable diseases, political and social unrest,
crime and terrorism, and the like. However, true servants of God should not
be afraid but be full of courage so that with their whole being, they shall
bring honor to Christ, whether they live or die. In other words, whatever
they encounter in this journey called life, they will be able to bring honor to
the Father and to Christ by persevering in their services and obedience to
God's commandments.
"The Almighty God knows full well that even His servants are going through
troubles in this world. That is why, through Apostle Paul, God teaches His
chosen ones that, whatever happens, they should conduct themselves 'in
every situation in a way that's worthy' of the teachings that they received.
They should not be 'terrified' by those who are opposing or going against
them. They should not even listen to and believe those people because
such 'are headed for damnation.' On the other hand, the faithfulness of true
Christians to the Lord God is an assurance that they will be saved (Phil.
1:27-28 LDB).
"Others tend to lose hope because of the difficult situations they face in this
life. Christians are not exempt from experiencing troubles and tribulations.
But, just like what Apostle Paul declared, the Lord God, Who is faithful to
His word, can be trusted not to let His servants be tempted and tried
beyond their ability and strength of resistance and power to endure. During
trials and temptations, God will always provide the way out so His servants
will be capable, strong, and powerful to overcome the trials (I Cor. 10:13
Amplified Bible).
"So, there is no reason to stop at any point as we run during the race set by
God. Just as runners pass through different terrains in the cross country
course, running nonstop uphill and downhill, beset by extreme weather
condition – Christians go through ups and downs in life, difficult situations,
and severe hardships, but with God's help, they will be able to continue
their race until they reach the finish line. This is the reason members of the
Church Of Christ dedicate themselves to obeying God's commands such
as attending worship services and participating actively in all Church
activities no matter what they experience in life. In order for this to happen,
true Christians need to develop certain qualities. According to Apostle Paul:
'For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry
away (and enjoy to the full) what is promised' (Heb. 10:36 AMP).
"Long-distance runners develop patience and endurance during their
rigorous trainings because those qualities are needed in order to win in the
race. Much more should true Christians 'have need of steadfast patience
and endurance,' so that they will be able to 'perform and fully accomplish
the will of God' and. Thus, receive and enjoy to the full what God has
promised. This is why Apostle Paul underscores that true Christians should
continue in the faith and be deeply rooted in it (Col. 1:23 LDB). They should
be unflinching, fixed in the direction that God has set – never to stray away
from the teachings of God that His Messenger taught.
"Cross country running brings pain to athletes' bodies, pushes them to a
point of exhaustion, and, more often than not, causes them to suffer from
bruises and cuts. But because they are running towards a certain goal that
is of great value to them, they are motivated to continue running to reach
the end of the course. True Christians are running to reach the end of the
course. True Christians are running to attain the eternal prize – everlasting
life. That is why they ought to run hard with everything they've got – no
matter the pain, no matter the sorrows, no matter the sacrifices – because
at the finish line, when they are able to complete the race, they will be
given the prize that God has reserved for them, that is, the crown of life. In
the Holy City, they will enjoy a life of everlasting peace and happiness."
***
If you want to know more about the things that you ought to do to be saved
come Judgment Day – the Second Advent of Lord Jesus Christ, please call
telephone numbers +632981-4311/981-1111/719-78000 or email
queries to pasugo@iglesianicristo.org.ph.
Dr. Antonio G. Papa is currently a trustee of the New Era University in
Quezon City and the second head deacon at the Local Congregation of
Indang, Ecclesiastical District of Cavite South. He is a retired university
professor at the College of Economics, Management and Development
Studies, Cavite State University (CvSU) in Indang, Cavite. In 2018, he
served as a scientist 1 and consultant at Marinduque State College in
Boac, Marinduque. He is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural
Education degree at the Don Severino Agricultural College now CvSU in
1978, and both Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in
Extension Education at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños,
College, Laguna in 1986 and 1991, respectively.