Holy Habit #4 - Perseverance Series

HOLY HABIT #4

PERSEVERANCE

Introduction

We’ve been exploring the Christian Graces in 2 Peter 1:5–7—what we’re calling Holy Habits—virtues we’re called to develop intentionally as followers of Jesus. Today, we focus on perseverance—sometimes translated as endurance, steadfastness, or patient endurance.

2 Peter 1:5-7 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.

We are to make every effort to put these into practice. When we add these to our faith we are productive and useful in our knowledge of Jesus. If we do these things we will never fall away.

2 Peter 1:11 “Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.”

These are elements of the life to which God has called us. And they are elements of actions - habits that become part of our daily life.

It is easy to get discouraged in the Christian walk.

Galatians 5:7 “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?”

Why is so easy to become discouraged?

-We could be listening to the wrong people.

-We sense that we have a long way to go.

-We so often wonder if we are making progress.

-We go through difficult times and get distracted.

-We have not developed the habits that will influence our daily decisions and actions.

The main commitment of our life is following Jesus Christ, and that means we are committed to developing these holy habits.

Perseverance is a powerful force in our lives.

1. Perseverance is Powerful

Perseverance Fights Temptations

1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

God helps us fight temptations and endure with this promise. Perseverance becomes the habit of continually

choosing God’s path—especially when we feel pulled in other directions.

Perseverance Points us to our Commitment

Philippians 3:14 “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ

Jesus.” Paul faced all kinds of difficult situations but he kept pressing toward the goal - that’s perseverance / endurance.

Perseverance is a quality of Prayer.

Luke 18:1 “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.” Romans 12:12 “Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.”

Perseverance is assurance that what we do for God matters.

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

2 Peter 1:12 “Therefore, I will always remind you about these things—even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught.”

2. How to Develop the Habit of Perseverance.

James Clear: “Researchers estimate that 40-50 percent of our actions on any given day are done out of habit.” Developing perseverance isn’t something that happens all at once—it’s a process shaped by mindset, habits, and intentional choices.

Remember Your Purpose.

Why are you seeking to develop holy habits in your life? Our life with God is more important to us than anything else - because it shapes and influences every choice we make. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 says, "Our purpose is to please God…"

Take Small Steps and Stay Consistent.

James Clear wrote, “A habit is a behavior that has been repeated enough times to become automatic.” Clear talked about one entry-level salesman ultimately became the head of the company with paperclips. He put 120 paperclips in a jar. For every sales call he made, he moved a paperclip into an empty jar. What do you need to do to remain consistent in your commitment to Christ? We develop good habits when we intentionally track our actions. That leads to perseverance! It may be journaling, goal-setting, prayer, reading Scripture, physical exercise. Track it!

Grow from the Failures.

Nobody does it perfectly. What can you learn when you fail to follow through? Persistence refuses to give up and finds a better way forward. C.S. Lewis wrote, “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.”

Draw Strength from God

Don’t get so focused on trying to develop a new habit that you do not seek his help. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to walk alongside us and help us. We are not alone in the struggle - trust God to help you. Habits of prayer, meditation, worship, fellowship with others - these are ways we grow in our strength and endurance.