Enduring Faith

Matt. 24:12-14


…12"Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. 13"But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. 14"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.


     These Scriptures tell of the times before the 2nd coming of the Lord. I haven't given myself to studying eschatology, so I can't show you an accurate timeline. Let's save that for the scholars. But, what jumps out to me is vs. 13-"But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved."


     Does this refer to one's salvation, or is it talking about being saved physically from everything that is going on around them at the time? I don't think it is that important to define, because I see the important quality that person will have is endurance; of not quitting, but of continuing in their faith in God through any and everything.


     Even in our present world, and more specifically in the world of our own lives, we encounter obstacles and hardships we must endure through. Perhaps it serves as a preparation for some of us, of what is to come.


     Some call marriage "tribulation." If that's the case, how many have endured to the end? Divorce is rampant, with little to no regard for the covenant they  took with God as their witness. The point is that if we can just "quit" so easily, will we endure in our relationship with God when things come against us? The hard things of life are testing ground for our enduring faith in Him alone, that is needed to "be saved."
     These Scriptures, by implication, say that when the love of most grow cold, is when we will need that endurance even more. As in a marriage, if the love has grown cold from our spouse, we need God even more to getus through, by trusting in Him to protect and keep us. But, if we willfully "give up" whether in our hearts or by terminating the marriage legally, can God rescue us then? We didn't endure in believing Him for what only He can do.
     Endurance implies "suffering through," and in this context it also implies "not losing faith" in the process. Some thoughts to chew on.