Jesse A. Flowers

“Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise” (Heb. 10:35-36).

Every single Christian has need of endurance. The Greek word for endurance (hypomone) has been defined as: “Steadfastness, constancy, endurance. In the New Testament the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings. Patiently and steadfastly; a patient, steadfast waiting for; a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance” (Interlinear, Blue Letter Bible).

We have need of endurance because we will all experience various hardships in this life. Those hardships may be financial, physical, emotional, mental, or even spiritual in nature. Paul exhorted Timothy, “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Tim. 2:3).

We have need of endurance because we will all experience times of weariness and discouragement. The author of Hebrews encourages his readers to consider Jesus “who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls” (12:3). Paul wrote to the brethren throughout Galatia: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Gal. 6:9). What shall we reap if we do not lose heart (or give up)? If we faithfully sow to the Spirit, we will reap everlasting life (Gal. 6:8).

We have need of endurance because the spiritual race to heaven is long. “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1). This race set before us is not a sprint but a spiritual marathon. Thus, we need that steadfastness, constancy, patient enduring, sustaining, and perseverance if we are going to ultimately cross the finish line as victors.

Our Lord declared: “But he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matt. 24:13). So dear brother or sister, do not cast away your confidence. Why not? Because it has great reward! Each one of us has need of endurance. For after we have done the will of God, we will receive the promise of life eternal in Heaven!