Relentless: The Power You Need to Never Give Up by John Bevere

Author:John Bevere
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Success - Religious Aspects - Christianity, Psychology, Success, Christian Life, General, Religion, Inspirational, Self-Help, Personal Growth, Perseverance (Ethics), Spiritual Growth, Persistence, Personality
ISBN: 0307457753
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Published: 2011-12-12T22:00:00+00:00

Timothy is not told to be strong physically, socially, emotionally, or intellectually. He is told to be strong in grace. It’s the weapon we need to finish successfully. After more than twenty-five years of ministry, I’ve observed that most of us are not using the weapon of grace. After all, 98 percent of U.S. Christians don’t fully comprehend this free, powerful gift. We just don’t know what we have.

Most of us are not using the weapon of grace.

Just prior to the second chapter of 2 Timothy, Paul corrects the young man of God for succumbing to the resistance and persecution he faced. Apparently, young Timothy’s adversaries intimidated him, and he wasn’t resisting and fighting as steadfastly as Paul thought he could. Paul reminds Timothy that God hasn’t given him a spirit of timidity but of power, love, and a sound mind. As all believers do, Timothy already possessed what it takes to overcome any resistance, so Paul exhorts him to stir up, and be strong in, the grace that is in Christ (see 2 Timothy 1:6–7; 2:1).

Moving into our highest calling is not a walk in the park. We don’t tiptoe into greatness or engage “cruise control” for a distinguished life. Paul emphatically states, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). If Paul is “pressing,” that means there is opposition and resistance.

Recall the vision from our first chapter. Our protagonist, the one rowing the boat, had to press, press, press against the strong current of the river. His strength waned. Why? I can only imagine that observing the party boats float by containing so many at ease, laughing, living what appeared to be successful lives, and experiencing so little opposition—all that grated on him over time. This eventually led to a discovery, one that was an illusion, yet seemed so real. He could live at ease as a “Christian” and, interestingly, experience less resistance. What a deception.

Here’s another illustration. A soldier can retreat from battle and consequently experience a much quieter lifestyle than his comrades still on the front line. The war isn’t over. It’s just that this soldier is no longer in conflict due to his retreat. Similar to our man in the boat, the soldier still looks battle ready: he’s wearing a uniform, has all the gear, and is carrying a rifle. But he’s experiencing no resistance.

Our objective is not to appear Christlike but to actually be Christlike in advancing the kingdom and destroying the works of the devil (see 1 John 3:8). To do so means we will face opposition and resistance.

We must remember that the grace (power) of God is all we need to overcome any hardship. However, we must cooperate with it by steadfastly believing—and the evidence of our belief is our corresponding action. When Peter walked on the water, he did an impossible and extraordinary feat. Jesus said “Come,” and in that one word was all the grace Peter needed to walk on water.

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