Editor’s note: This is a reprinted column from Jack Purcell’s “On the Journey” archives. It originally appeared in The Star in 2013.
The dictionary tells us to be steadfast is to be steady, constant or unswerving, an admirable trait for us all.
1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”
Colossians 1:11 says, “... strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience ...”
And 2 Thessalonians 3:5 says, “And may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.”
I hope you have noticed a small but important distinction between the dictionary and the biblical description.
It is always the work of God in a man’s life that allows him to carry out the work of God.
Let me say that another way. You and I cannot carry out the work of God apart from his working within us by the direction and power of the Holy Spirit. We can do religious things but not God’s work.
Notice the biblical language, “always abounding in the work of the Lord,” “strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might” and “the steadfastness of Christ.”
So, the point is don’t run out this week and decide to be steadfast if you intend to minister in the strength and power of God.
I believe it is not a stretch to say that one is much more likely to find steadfastness as a practice when fellowship with Jesus is maintained as a matter of routine.
It is easy at this point to see the dividing line between being religious and living out of our resources in Christ.
It is my intent to always keep this column pointing to the Lord and not to men, but in this case I am choosing to use an individual who is a classic example of steadfastness.
I have been attending or teaching Sunday School classes since I was 4 years old. That amounts to 68 years. I tell you that to make the point that in 68 years I have never experienced a Sunday school teacher who holds a candle to my current teacher.
Before you get concerned that I am bragging on a man, the reason I am able to say these things is because this person is the epitome of steadfastness from the biblical perspective.
Sunday after Sunday his teaching lifts the hearts and minds of his class with the truth, never wavering or taking credit. I have never heard a mediocre lesson.
He relies on the Spirit of God. It is obvious to anyone in this large class that time has been spent before the Lord every week. Everyone in the class recognizes that his gift of teaching comes from God, so that is where the glory goes.
Finally, steadfastness is not defined in scripture as one of the gifts of the Spirit. It is the result of the discipline of time spent with Jesus.
One of my favorite authors died recently. Brennan Manning had a great way of describing times of quiet before the Lord. He described it as “just wasting time with Jesus.”
We would all find steadfastness more common if we “wasted time with Jesus.”
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