Applying Perseverance in the Face of Opposition Daily

Perseverance in the Face of Opposition

The concept of perseverance in the face of opposition is deeply rooted in biblical teachings and has been a cornerstone of Christian theology across various traditions. The biblical anchor for this concept can be found in numerous passages that exhort believers to remain steadfast in their faith despite adversity ^{[1, 2, 4]}.

In the Old Testament, the Psalmist cries out to God, "How long must I wrestle in my soul, with sorrow in my heart each day? How long will my enemy dominate me?" (Psalms 13:2) ^[2]. Similarly, the prophet Isaiah expresses the struggles of perseverance, saying, "I spread out my hands all day to a stubborn people" (Isaiah 65:2) ^[5]. The book of Lamentations also highlights the theme of enduring opposition, with the writer stating, "The lips and meditation of my assailants are against me all day long" (Lamentations 3:62) ^[4].

The New Testament continues this theme, with the Apostle Paul exhorting believers to "work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it" (I Corinthians 4:12) ^[3]. The author of Hebrews urges believers not to "throw away this confident trust in the Lord" and emphasizes that "patient endurance is the key response needed in the face of persecution" (Hebrews 10:35-36) ^[10].

Theologically, perseverance is understood as a gift from God that enables believers to remain steadfast in their faith. According to John Calvin, "Perseverance is the gift of God, which he does not lavish promiscuously on all, but imparts to whom he pleases" ^[7]. This view is echoed in the Reformed tradition, which emphasizes that perseverance is maintained through "the power of God" and "the intercession of Christ" ^[6].

However, not all Christian traditions view perseverance in the same light. The Catholic tradition, as represented by Thomas Aquinas, understands perseverance as a virtue that is opposed by the vice of pertinacity, or being overly stubborn ^[8]. In contrast, the Lutheran tradition, as expressed in the Augsburg Confession, emphasizes the importance of bodily restraints and exercises in training oneself to persevere, but rejects the idea that such practices can merit grace or make satisfaction for sins ^[12].

In the face of opposition, believers are called to resist Satan and stand firm in their faith, as exhorted by the Apostle Peter ^[11]. This involves exercising patience and long-suffering, as Calvin notes in his commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and 1-2 Thessalonians ^[13]. The Jewish tradition also emphasizes the importance of perseverance, with Torrey's Topical Textbook listing it as an evidence of reconciliation with God and a characteristic of saints ^[6].

The historical development of the doctrine of perseverance has been shaped by various controversies and councils. The Pelagian controversy, for example, led to a greater emphasis on the role of God's grace in perseverance, as seen in the writings of Augustine ^[9].

Sources

Job ““Even today my complaint is rebellious. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning. -- Job 23:2”
Psalms “Psalms 13:2 (BSB) — How long must I wrestle in my soul, with sorrow in my heart each day? How long will my enemy dominate me?”
I Corinthians “I Corinthians 4:12 (BSB) — We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;”
Lamentations “Lamentations 3:62 (LEB) — The lips and meditation of my assailants are against me all day long.”
Isaiah “Isaiah 65:2 (LEB) — I spread out my hands all day to a stubborn people, those who walk after their thoughts in the way that is not good,”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Perseverance — An evidence of reconciliation with God -- Col 1:21-23. An evidence of belonging to Christ -- Joh 8:31; Heb 3:6,14. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 4:18. To be manifested in Seeking God. -- 1Ch 16:11. Waiting upon god. -- Ho 12:6. Prayer. -- Ro 12:12; Eph 6:18. Well-doing. -- Ro 2:7; 2Th 3:13. Continuing in the faith. -- Ac 14:22; Col 1:23; 2Ti 4:7. Holding fast hope. -- Heb 3:6. Maintained through The power of God. -- Ps 37:24; Php 1:6. The power of Christ. -- Joh 10:28. The intercession of Christ. -- Lu 22:31,32; Joh 17:11. The fear of God. -- Jer 32”
CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 41: are consumed. And this is the only reason why some persevere to the end, and others, after beginning their course, fall away. Perseverance is the gift of God, which he does not lavish promiscuously on all, but imparts to whom he pleases. If it is asked how the difference arises—why some steadily persevere, and others prove deficient in steadfastness, we can give no other reason than that the Lord, by his mighty power, strengthens and sustains the former, so that they perish not, while he does not furnish the same assistance to the ”
theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of the Vices Opposed to Perseverance, Art. 2: Article: Whether pertinacity is opposed to perseverance? I answer that, As Isidore says (Etym. x) "a person is said to be pertinacious who holds on impudently, as being utterly tenacious." "Pervicacious" has the same meaning, for it signifies that a man "perseveres in his purpose until he is victorious: for the ancients called 'vicia' what we call victory." These the Philosopher (Ethic. vii, 9) calls {ischyrognomones}, that is "head-strong," or {idiognomones}, that is "se”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 5: Augustine — Anti-Pelagian — CHAP. 7 [IV.]--THE FOURTH PETITION.: The fourth petition is, "Give us this day our daily bread,"(1) where the blessed Cyprian shows how here also perseverance is understood to be asked for. Because he says, among other things, "And we ask that this bread should be given to us daily, that we who are in Christ, and daily receive the Eucharist for the food of salvation, may not by the interposition of some heinous sin be separated from Christ's body by being withheld from communicating and prevented from partaking of the heavenly bread."(2) These words of ”
Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 10:35: 10:35-36 Based on their exemplary faithfulness in the past (10:32-34), the author urges them not to throw away this confident trust in the Lord. The word translated confident trust is also used in Hebrews to speak of boldness in entering the presence of God (4:16; 10:19; cp. 3:6). Those who remain faithful receive a great reward (see 1:14; 6:12; 9:15; Jas 1:12). Patient endurance is the key response needed in the face of persecution, as the author argues in Heb 10:32–12:17.”
1 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Peter 5:9: Whom resist,.... By no means give way to him, by indulging any sin, or yielding to any temptation, but oppose him, and stand against his wiles, his cunning and his power: steadfast in the faith; both in the doctrine of faith, which Satan endeavours to remove from, or cause to stagger in; and in the grace of faith, exercising it on the promises of God, and his perfections, particularly his power and faithfulness concerned in them, and in the blood, righteousness, sacrifice, and person of Christ, which faith is capable of making use of, as a shield, to good purpose, a”
Augsburg Confession (Lutheran) “Augsburg Confession (Lutheran, 1530), 33 Moreover, they teach that every Christian ought to train and: 33 Moreover, they teach that every Christian ought to train and subdue himself with bodily restraints, or bodily exercises and labors that neither satiety nor slothfulness tempt him to sin, but not that we may merit grace or make satisfaction for sins by such exercises. 34 And such external discipline ought to be urged at all times, not only on a few and set days. So Christ commands, 35 Luke 21:34: Take heed lest your hearts 36 be overcharged with surfeiting; also Matt. 17:21: This kind goeth”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 25.4: — in all patience and long-suffering. For they are constantly, while in this world, exercised with the cross, and a thousand temptations daily present themselves, so as to weigh them down, and they see nothing of what God has promised. They must, therefore, arm themselves with an admirable patience, that what Isaiah says may be accomplished, In hope and in silence shall be your strength. 290 290 Lowth’s rendering of the passage is similar: “In silence, and in pious confidence, shall be your strength.” — Ed . ( Isai”

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