Steadfast
For to be steadfast is not merely to stand still in the same place, but to move forward with a slow and unwavering step—George Eliot. Being steadfast in faith, in love, and in perseverance is not for the fainthearted. It is a feat that those who are strong in spirit can achieve, looking unto Jesus and not turning to the right or to the left. We need to hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. But what is the confession of our hope? It is the firm grip on what we believe in. And what is the belief we confess and place our hope in? We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, having been justified by faith and gaining access to grace in which we stand, through faith. Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, we are able to rejoice in our sufferings, the end product of which is hope. Suffering produces endurance, endurance character, and character hope. This hope does not put us to ...