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This page revised and Copyrighted: Theon Doxazo

28 December, 2023

 

2 Peter Theory on Endurance

03.8.0

Having considered Self-Control, the disciple is left with the inner tension between who he is and who he believes he should be.  The 2 Peter Theory at Endurance maintains that suffering will manifest itself in the life of the believer.  Sometimes that suffering is internal, sometimes it is within the family, and sometimes is happens because of social/national conflict.

 

When the Christian is confronted by suffering, the only viable response is to be willing to sacrifice.  Crucially, this means identifying someone you are willing to sacrifice for.  Frequently this takes for form of someone that we love.  This entails recognizing at least one person that we value more highly than we value ourselves.  If we are able to identify such a person, then suffering for the one becomes possible.  Suffering for another provides the one doing the suffering with a reason and a purpose for the suffering.  By putting the suffering in a larger context, the suffering becomes more tolerable.

 

A distinction was drawn between suffering that is self-imposed for the benefit of a loved other, and suffering that is imposed by Others outside.  When major suffering is imposed by Others, Disciples turn to the Lord and His Church for Comfort.  This Comfort can make the difference in suffering successfully.  When one suffers successfully this produces 'proven character'.  God's Comfort and one's 'proven character' combine to produce Hope as one approaches new instances of expected suffering.

 

If the suffering becomes too great and is completely intolerable, the Disciple must cast his Hopes on Christ as his Saviour.  As this is done the Disciple's Hopes extend beyond the grave to Heaven itself, allowing one to remain resolute to the very end.

 

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