“We must continue to hold firmly to our declaration of faith. The one who made the promise is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23 God`s Word Translation.
Persistent faith is relentless, consistent, and undaunting. It is not a gift that is bestowed upon us but rather something that we must generate from the Word of God, the true source of persistent faith. To cultivate such faith, we must be diligent in studying, meditating on, and practicing the Word of God.
Diligence in the Word
The Bible emphasizes the importance of diligent study in 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV): “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” This diligence is essential for developing a faith that stands firm in all circumstances.
Feeding on the Word
The Lord Jesus highlighted the necessity of living by the Word in Matthew 4:4 (NIV): “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Similarly, in Luke 4:4 (NIV), Jesus reiterates, “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone.'”
Embracing the Word
Proverbs 4:20-22 (NIV) underscores the life-giving power of God’s Word: “My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.”
Mary and Martha Christians
There are two kinds of Christians based on our attitude toward the Word of God: Mary Christians and Martha Christians, as illustrated in Luke 10:38-42 (NIV). Mary Christians are intentional believers who prioritize what is needful, as Mary did when she “sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said” (v. 39). The Lord Jesus commended Mary’s choice in verse 42: “But few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” In contrast, Martha Christians are often distracted, as Martha was “distracted by all the preparations that had to be made” (v. 40).
The Priority of the Word
When time in the Word becomes our priority, persistent faith becomes a reality. Persistent faith requires continuous engagement with the Word—studying, meditating, and practicing it daily. This ongoing commitment to God’s Word fortifies our faith, making it resilient and steadfast.
Living Victoriously
In these perilous times, as described in 2 Timothy 3:1 (AMP): “But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear],”
Persistent faith is essential for living a victorious and glorious life as a Christian. Persistent faith enables us to overcome the challenges and moral decay of our age, ensuring we remain unwavering and steadfast in our walk with God.
By persisting in the study, meditation, and practice of the Word of God, we can manifest a persistent faith that empowers us to live victoriously, even in the most challenging times. As we prioritize the Word, like Mary, we choose the “good part” that will not be taken from us, ensuring our faith is robust and enduring. [To be continued next week].
