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Man's quality character called endurance

By Manila Times - 3 months ago

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.

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