Endurance in the Christian's Life

We are in the age of  instant gratification, instant results and one hour shows that have the mystery solved before the end of the show, on to a new complex problem to solve next week, and it will, most likely, be solved in an hour as well. The exceptions are when there is a sweeps or ratings period and they want to ensure watchers. This generation can surf the computer, instantly chat or text when away from the computer, find information, share information, and solve many problems in a fraction of the time that it used to take highly skilled researchers to discover years ago. The problem that this instantaneous world has produced is a lack of patience and endurance for changes in lives to occur over a period of time. If a problem situation can't be changed in record time, we get very frustrated and want to move on to something else, something new.
 This attitude has found a home in the Christian Church today. No reason to build a Ministry through the establishment of foundational Christianity, we may use a "New" move of the Spirit to shortcut laying the groundwork for a believers that have a firm grasp of Christian principles and the correct balance of living a life of sanctification for Christ. Many start with a heart that is full of love for the Lord and zealous to let the world know about Jesus, only to not be found in 6 months or a year. If they are still there the fire has wained and life's cares have built a crust around that excitement for the Lord. The realities of Christian endurance set in and many sit down, frustrated by the apparent lack of progress toward holiness in their lives or others lives.
How sad it is that we don't spend more time preparing people for a marathon, rather than a sprint. It takes time to see many changes in a Christian life. Most commonly, it takes time for us to have our minds renewed to accept the things of God, although there are some that are more obedient and submissive to Lord than others. These were probably more established in Godly discipline as children, or through being broken from life's harsh lessons. Whatever the state of the Christian at the point of conversion, one thing is for sure, we will all be changed into His likeness, if we continue to live in this life as His children, how fast we change is dependent upon our heart's attitude.
We are changed at the point of rebirth in Christ, our Spirit is birthed into the Kingdom, we are justified, but sanctification is a lifetime progress. Pray for those brothers and sisters who are struggling, encourage them with truth in love, not from malice or false sincerity or piety, but in God's true encouragement, remembering the parable of the unforgiving servant, and the story of the Disciples, Peter and James and John. Model a life of Christian morals and dutiful service to the weaker, admonish the proud in humility, and encourage those in fleshly battles with morality, remembering what the Lord has done for you and me. Patient endurance and humble obedience will take us into an overcoming life with our Lord.