As we plunge into the concept of God's love, we often encounter terms like benevolent, mercy, and grace. But one word holds an extraordinary power: 'persistence,' as in persistent love. Though initially puzzling, this word can lead us to a profound experience of Christ's love. It equips us to navigate life daily, with all its challenges, knowing that God's persistent love is a constant presence. All we need to do is embrace it and believe in its transformative potential! In other words, just believe in God’s persistent Love; embrace it to see how it can steadfastly change your life.
God's love is a universal persistent power, evident in numerous Bible verses such as Psalms 8:15, Romans 2:4, and 2 Peter 3:15. What's genuinely captivating is that despite the need for justice, which is needed, God persistently offers salvation and grace over extended periods. This persistence embodies two essential traits: long-suffering and patience. Long-suffering is a trait that God's children embody, like how parents or leaders don't abandon their children or loyal members and cut them off. On the other hand, patience is for the world's lost souls. Meaning that God's persistence in love extends to His family and everyone, emphasizing the value and scope of His love (2 Peter 3:9).
When Christians grapple with persisting in their love towards others, they often face significant challenges that can only be overcome through the love of God. Two major issues that arise when followers of Christ lack persistence in their love are selfishness and impatience. Selfishness refers to a tendency to prioritize one's own interests and desires over the well-being and happiness of others. On the other hand, Impatience often stems from selfishness, making it difficult to love others selflessly and seek their happiness. However, these challenges can be conquered with the power of God's love. When impatient, Christians focus on immediate and self-gratification instead of considering the long-term effects of their actions and relationships. This can lead to a lack of trust and connection between people, hindering their spiritual growth and overall well-being.
People can overcome challenges and develop deeper relationships with others by persisting in their love, leading to a more fulfilling and meaningful life. Applying Jesus' teaching of "Watch and Pray" (Matthew 26:36-46) to your soul is vital to fill the gap of God's persistent love. Once the gap is filled, it will allow the Christ-like habit of endurance to take root within you, enabling you to persevere through anything, including pain and hardship, without displaying toxic emotions or complaining. When endurance is adequately understood and applied to one's life, as Jesus did, the fruits of the Spirit, such as joy, peace, and patience (Galatians 5:23-24), bloom for others to enjoy.
Today, I invite you to stop doubting God’s persistent love. Dispute your impatience and selfishness. Then, change your wrong-embedded beliefs with Jesus’ teachings to understand what it means to love as Jesus loved. He loved with the endurance that every Christ follower needs to reach their God potential because they “Just Believe” — just believe by embracing God’s persistent Love.
With persistent love,
Pastor Drake