I want you to know brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the Gospel. Philippians 1:12
Hupomone
steadfastness, constancy, endurance;
in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings;
patiently, and steadfastly;
a patient, steadfast waiting for;
a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance
Hupomone living frees us from the circumstances of life. We are no longer bound to react to circumstance after circumstance. Instead as Brother Lawrence would say, we are free to “practice the presence of God”. We are able to make our relationship with Him our total focus. Nor can we make our circumstances the foundation of our faith, that too will distract from the singular purpose of pursuing God and results in a faith that is blown here and there by the situational waves of life. (Ephesians 4:14)
“Are they servants of Christ?- I speak as if insane- I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep….
2 Corinthians 11:23-26
Paul goes on to list the circumstances of his life as a missionary and even the intense times of communion with God as well as the “thorn in the flesh”. Paul could boast in his hupomone lifestyle, that he endured all these things and was graced by intense visions from God. In the end analysis Paul understood, perhaps along with the author of Ecclesiastes, that this too is vanity. It is better to boast in weakness and recognize that the important thing is that the power of Christ dwells inside. Paul understood that when he rejected circumstances as the guides and measure of his life and practiced the presence of Jesus Christ in every situation that whatever happened to him would “really serve to advance the cause of Christ.” This is the result of the hupomone lifestyle. It is the goal that transcends our individual personalities, situations, callings, theologies, denominations, socioeconomic status etc.
When we enter into the hupomone life we are freed not only from circumstances but from results as well. It is a natural result of who we are as children of God and the natural excellence that occurs when we focus pursuing God. This is the natural conclusion of Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called to His purpose.” However we are not freed from the need to pursue all that we do with excellence. Scripture calls for Christ followers over and over to reach for excellence. I have actually heard intentional incompetence lauded as a way to encourage the work of the Holy Spirit in one’s life. This is directly contradicted in Scripture.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 2 Peter 1:5
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
The fact that we are freed from the constraints of results allows us to focus our pursuit of excellence where it belongs, on our relationship with Jesus Christ and our desire to bring our heavenly father glory.
Fan Into Flame Ministries 