Biblical Encouragement to Continue in the Faith

Photo by Max Saeling on Unsplash

It’s not what it sounds but it is what works. It doesn’t sound encouraging but it is encouraging.

What happens in life is when we’re down, the kitchen sink is thrown at us. Ever noticed that? Not one or two issues, but what seems like ten or fifteen, simultaneously, in stereo. The day I began writing this article was one of those days. The day I finish and post this article is a new day, praise God.

But we’re called always to return to the biblical text — for our replenishment, for our sanctity, for our sanity, for our encouragement… in the faith… to continue.

Here is it from Acts 14:22 (NRSV) — “There they strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, ‘It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God’.”

“It is through many persecutions that
we must enter the kingdom of God.”

Absorb that. Ruminate in that. Dwell in it. Notice the word ‘many’ and notice the word ‘enter’; these words are connected as the entire sentence works in unity to present a salient concept. It is supposed to leave us troubled of spirit; to be challenged to understand it; and even, as it stands, it is an invitation to enter a mystery. It is an invitation to surrender — ‘Lord, I cannot control everything that happens. Only you are in full control.’

Notice, now, the words in the first part of the verse:

“… they strengthened the souls of the disciples
and encouraged them to continue in the faith…”

The souls of the disciples may well have been discouraged because of persecution. So how are the disciples now encouraged by the statement that they must endure many persecutions to enter the kingdom of God? The key word is ‘continue’… to continue in the faith, just as they have been doing.

It is an encouragement to continue.

There is no better vindication, and no simpler encouragement, than to say, ‘You’re on the right track, just keep going, I/we are with you in this.’

It’s all we need; the assurance that God is with us in every battle, and that those we depend on for guidance are willing to do the same; to not let go and to never give up.

Encouragement leads to the ability to continue in the faith.

Faith endures struggle in the hope of vindication without bargaining over the promise God has laid securely in the heart, and this faith leads to the courage of conviction to continue.