Page 65 - The Road from Babylon to Zion

Chapter 7 - The Endurance of the Saints

We have seen in previous chapters that the ambushes of the enemy are many, and
this book cannot attempt to relate every specific snare and trap of the enemy. Yet all
of the ambushes of Satan serve a purpose in the life of the Elect of God. To the extent
that the saint overcomes the flesh, the world, and Satan, they are conformed to the
image of Christ. Yahweh does not present tests and trials to the saint that they might
fail, but that they might Overcome and share in the victory of Christ.

It is to be noted that most of the trials spoken of here relate to attitude. Will the saint
allow his or her hurts and offenses to produce bitterness in their life, or will they put
on a heart of forgiveness, mercy and love? Will the saint fall to the peril of self-pity,
or will they put on a heart of faith and look to the joy and reward set before them?
Will the saint allow their tongue to slash and cut others who stand as enemies before
them, or will the saint exercise self-discipline by ruling over their tongue?

If the Father were simply interested in His Elect being born again of the Spirit, then
He could easily have chosen to catch the saints up to heaven at the moment of their
new birth. Yet He does not do so. He leaves the newborn saint in an often hostile
environment where growth is mandatory. He causes the saint to undergo one test of
faith after another in order that their faith might be perfected. A perfected faith is the
object of the Father’s working in our lives, and it is a most precious thing in His
sight.

I Peter 1:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if
necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof
of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even
though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and
honor at the revelation of Yahshua the Messiah...

When we have been made outcasts, when we have been scorned and rejected, when
our words have been twisted and our motives impugned, when we are persecuted for
the obedience we walk in, it is in these circumstances that we have opportunity to
have the life of Christ revealed to all of creation through these vessels of clay. When
we have been given promises, and the promises are delayed; when we have hoped
against hope for something, and the hope has tarried; when our hearts have wept
with the bitterness of this cruel world and we have longed for love and justice and
righteousness to break forth; it is then that patience is acquired to the perfecting of
our faith.