Focus & Endurance

“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” – Matthew 24:12-13 (NIV). This scripture got me thinking this morning. “Because of the increase of wickedness…” Another translation calls it “lawlessness.” Sadly, I’ve seen lawlessness increasing in our beloved South Africa, but not only here, across the world. What caught my attention in this scripture however, is the word “MOST”. Because wickedness and lawlessness increase, MOST Christians will grow cold in their love for God! That’s a sobering thought.

It seems almost unthinkable that a born-again child of God who walked with Him, and experienced His goodness, grace and faithfulness in their own lives would be distracted and discouraged by the wickedness that surround them, to the extent that they would want to throw in the towel. Yet, the Bible says it will happen. Only those who STANDS FIRM TO THE END will be saved. If I started out strong, and if I ran a big part of my earthly race with gusto and passion, but then began slowing down, allowing myself to be distracted by the injustices and lawlessness I see and experience, when I grow bitter and start doubting that God is able to make all things work together for good to those who love Him (Rom 8:28), then it seems that my love for God may begin to grow cold and I may not end my race well.

I think the value and importance of perseverance and endurance are not emphasized nearly enough. Throughout the New Testament we read how the early church often encouraged one another as followers of Jesus to persevere and not give up. They knew that persecution and hardships had the potential to shake the faith of even mature believers.

Hebrews 12:1 (ESV) “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…”

Hebrews 10:36 (ESV) “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.”

When I was a little girl, I did ballet lessons for a while. I always marveled at the fact that ballerinas could spin around and around and never get dizzy, but I learned that they were taught to keep their eyes fixed on one focal point in front of them. Even though their bodies were spinning, they would keep their eyes fixed, and readjust them right back to that spot every time they spun around. This kept them centered and balanced. If we take our eyes off Jesus, and start looking at the world around us that’s spinning and reeling under lawlessness, we are sure to lose our balance. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) tells us Who our focal point should be: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith…” The Amplified version says, “Looking away from all that will distract to Jesus…”

Focus and endurance. These seem to be two of the essential ingredients in keeping my love for God from growing cold.