What Does It Mean To ‘Endure Unto The End’?

“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
Mark 13:13 (KJV)

There is a pithy saying–“God is more interested in your character than your comfort.” When people think of Christians, they often think of the martyrs of the Bible. Does being a Christian mean that we have to give up everything in a life of service, like Mother Theresa? What about the Christian woman that delivers meals on wheels, or the member of ‘Christians In Finance’ who sets an example of integrity working in the banking business? The Christian life is supposed to be attractive to the non-believer, not scare him away. Luke 2:52 says that, “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”

Jesus also said, “I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, ……If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”(John 15:19-20) Is every Christian to be an object of persecution? Jesus’ words in John 10:10 seem to indicate that is not the case, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly”. The old Chinese Proverb says: “If you are patient in one moment of sorrow, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.” So, rather than stressing the endure to the end, let’s rather think of it as enduring to the end, and look at Galatians 6:9, “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Prayer
God, help me to live my Christian life without fear of persecution, but if I do have to face trials, give me the strength to endure, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith. Help me not to be weary of well doing but to endure unto the end.
Amen

Study by Nancy Silcox