Christians are joyfully perseverant.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
As believers, we were promised trials and are called to persevere through them. When the Christian understands that God sovereignly orchestrates their trials for good, they can persevere joyfully. This can seem foolish from the world’s perspective, but joyful perseverance is a distinctive of God’s people because it is not based on the transient “truth” of this world. Rather, this virtue grows from faith in God’s Word taking root in a contrite heart. The virtue of joyful perseverance is distinctly Christian because the doctrine from which it flows is distinctly Christian.
The Reality of Trials and of Christ’s Authority
Jesus tells us in John 15, that the world will hate us because it first hated Him. The Christian life will be characterized by trials. This adversity is not merely a mindless unfortunate result of the fall. Rather, we know that there are real evil forces seeking to spurn God through the affliction of His saints. Jesus said in John 16, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Don’t miss the encouraging truth here. While tribulation is certain, it is in the control of our gracious Savior and happens specifically because we are His.
Even in the face of those evil entities with all their vehemence and hateful intent, we have confidence understanding that the One who gave His life for me, has overcome the world and all its adversarial forces. All things have been delivered into His hand.
Trials for Our Good
As Peter writes in his first letter, our trials have purpose.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith – more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:3-7
Though incongruous with the warped “wisdom” of this world, we know that trials are necessary and orchestrated for our growth and purification, resulting in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Notice we are called not only to persevere through trials but to do so with joy. This doesn’t necessarily mean a fleeting feeling of happiness, but rather contentment and hope founded in Christ’s finished redeeming work and the Holy Spirit’s ongoing sanctifying work.
Romans 5 tells us…
“we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
In Christ, suffering leads to hope because it has been orchestrated to do so. In God’s sovereignty it is for our good and His glory. It causes growth in our dependence on God, which in turn causes growth in our likeness to Christ. With this doctrine established and understood, we know that our trials, tribulations, and struggles are pruning shears in the hands of our most gentle and wise Heavenly Father. That is certainly cause for rejoicing.
We Can Persevere with Joy Because of Who God Is and What He Has Done
Therefore, in accordance with the scriptures the Christian joyfully perseveres through trials because we do not struggle without hope. With this fact comes a peace and resolve that allows us to keep our heads held high in the face of adversity and our hearts humble in the presence of our God. As we labor for Him, let us do so with strength in our hands, joy in our hearts, and peace in our minds. As we decrease and He increases in us, may we joyfully persevere through whatever the Lord has prepared for us – for our good and His glory.
