Distinguishing Between Perseverance and Stubbornness in Christian Life
Distinguishing Between Perseverance and Stubbornness in Christian Life
Perseverance is a vital aspect of the Christian life, characterized by steadfastness in faith and obedience to God despite challenges and hardships [1]. The Bible commands believers to persevere, with Jesus himself teaching that "by your patient endurance you will gain your lives" [4]. The apostle Paul similarly emphasizes the importance of perseverance, stating that it produces "character" and "hope" in believers [5].
However, perseverance can be confused with stubbornness, which is driven by self-will and a refusal to yield to God's will or others [3]. Stubbornness is considered a negative trait in the Bible, associated with pride, unbelief, and rebellion against God. The biblical account of Israel's history highlights the dangers of stubbornness, where the Israelites' refusal to heed God's warnings and commands led to severe consequences.
The key distinction between perseverance and stubbornness lies in their underlying motivations. Perseverance is rooted in faith, trust in God, and a desire to follow His will, whereas stubbornness stems from self-will and a determination to have one's own way. According to Calvin, true Christianity is characterized by a "faith that is lively and full of vigor," which motivates believers to persevere in their walk with God [6].
Various Christian traditions have grappled with the concept of perseverance. The Reformed tradition, for instance, emphasizes the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, which asserts that believers will continue in their faith until the end due to God's sovereign work in their lives [2]. In contrast, the Catholic tradition views perseverance as a gift from God that requires human cooperation [7].
The Catechism of the Catholic Church notes that perseverance is a gift that must be nourished through prayer, scripture, and the sacraments [8]. Similarly, the Lutheran Augsburg Confession emphasizes the importance of self-discipline and bodily restraints in maintaining a life of faith [9].
Sources
- 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”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Perseverance of the saints — Their certain continuance in a state of grace. Once justified and regenerated, the believer can neither totally nor finally fall away from grace, but will certainly persevere therein and attain everlasting life. This doctrine is clearly taught in these passages, John 10:28, 29; Rom. 11:29; Phil. 1:6; 1 Pet. 1:5. It, moreover, follows from a consideration of (1) the immutability of the divine decrees (Jer. 31:3; Matt. 24:22-24; Acts 13:48; Rom. 8:30); (2) the provisions of the covenant of grace (Jer. 32:40; John 10:29; 17:2-6); (3) the ato”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Will and Stubbornness — Forbidden -- 2Ch 30:8; Ps 75:5; 95:8. Proceed from Unbelief. -- 2Ki 17:14. Pride. -- Ne 9:16,29. An evil heart. -- Jer 7:24. God knows -- Isa 48:4. Exhibited in Refusing to hearken to God. -- Pr 1:24. Refusing to hearken to the messengers of God. -- 1Sa 8:19; Jer 44:16; Zec 7:11. Refusing to walk in the ways of God. -- Ne 9:17; Ps 78:10; Isa 42:24; Jer 6:16. Refusing to hearken to parents. -- De 21:18,19. Refusing to receive correction. -- De 21:18; Jer 5:3; 7:28. Rebelling against God. -- De 31:27; Ps 78:8. Resisting the Holy Spirit. -- ”
- Luke “Luke 21:19 (LEB) — By your patient endurance you will gain your lives.”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 5:4: patience worketh experience--rather, "proof," as the same word is rendered in Co2 2:9; Co2 13:3; Phi 2:22; that is, experimental evidence that we have "believed through grace." and experience--"proof." hope--"of the glory of God," as prepared for us. Thus have we hope in two distinct ways, and at two successive stages of the Christian life: first, immediately on believing, along with the sense of peace and abiding access to God (Rom 5:1); next, after the reality of this faith has been "proved," particularly by the patient endurance of trials sent to”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 48.4: the statement should be explained to mean, that Paul remembers their patience in hoping for the coming of Christ. From this we may gather a brief definition of true Christianity — that it is a faith that is lively and full of vigor, so that it spares no labor, when assistance is to be given to one’s neighbors, but, on the contrary, all the pious employ themselves diligently in offices of love, and lay out their efforts in them, so that, intent upon the hope of the manifestation of Christ, they despise everything el”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundae), Of the Necessity of Grace, Art. 10: Article: Whether man possessed of grace needs the help of grace in order to persevere? I answer that, Perseverance is taken in three ways. First, to signify a habit of the mind whereby a man stands steadfastly, lest he be moved by the assault of sadness from what is virtuous. And thus perseverance is to sadness as continence is to concupiscence and pleasure, as the Philosopher says (Ethic. vii, 7). Secondly, perseverance may be called a habit, whereby a man has the purpose of persever”
- Catechism of the Catholic Church (Catholic) “Catechism of the Catholic Church, CHAPTER THREE (part 6): anyone obtain eternal life 'But he who endures to the end.'"] Perseverance in faith 162 Faith is an entirely free gift that God makes to man. We can lose this priceless gift, as St. Paul indicated to St. Timothy: "Wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting conscience, certain persons have made shipwreck of their faith."44 To live, grow and persevere in the faith until the end we must nourish it with the word of God; we must beg the Lord to increase our faith;45 it must be "working through charity," aboundin”
- 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”