2 Timothy 2:12. Sanctification, being set aside for God's use, is an endurance exercise where we are only able to continue because of our faith in God. 2 Timothy 2:12 says, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him, if we deny him, he also will deny us:”. Paul is providing us a faithful saying in 2 Timothy that if we endure in our faith, we will reign with God.

Ezekiel 39:26. Sometime God uses shame to chastise us in order for us to come into a place of honor with Him. It is amazing that every time we drift from God, He will find a way to chastise us to do right. This chastisement may come in the form of physical afflictions or emotional distress.

Hebrews 12:2. Expressing your views as a Christian can be a humiliating process. Many people are quite hateful of Christian views on such topics as sex, marriage, temperance, recreational drugs, meaning of life, and even money. People will shame you because you do not believe what society believes or what their group believes.

The illustration of The Road to Success highlights that success is a lot of hard work and persistence. God has provided us an environment to be successful both materially and spiritual. God desires for us to benefit from the fruit of our labor. God has given us purpose and meaning in life to persevere any trial and tribulation. Enjoy the illustration below concerning the road to success.

Diligence enable us to exercise our Christian faith to achieve God's purpose in our lives. True faith gives us the diligence and the resolve to live a Christian life that is full of righteousness and love. Our Christian diligence is our proof that we love God. Diligence gives us the assurance of our Christian calling and election.

1. Virtue - called to moral excellence, goodness, and righteousness

2. Knowledge - discover the knowledge of God

3. Temperance - self-control to obtain an incorruptible crown

1 Corinthians 13:7. The Bible says that true love requires patience. True love is patient because it bears through any circumstances and never changes. Circumstances can change, people can change, but true love never changes. No matter what the adversity, true love can bear it. True love is patient because it has hope that transcends any circumstances.

2 Peter 1:6. As God created us, the definition of human nature can't be fully defined without defining our relationship with God. Our human nature at it's best is set aside for God. This is where we put God first.

Ephesians 6:11. By us putting on the whole armor of God, we can persevere through any lie, temptation, and deceit that the devil may throw at us (Ephesians 6:10-11, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil").

1 Corinthians 13:4. Love is patience. Love is kind. Love is not selfish, envious, nor prideful. Love will be patience no matter what the situation. Love will be kind to everyone whether they deserve it or not. Selfish people seek only to satisfy their flesh. Love does not. Selfishness and love are complete opposites and cannot coexist at the same time.

John 6:27. God shows His compassion to us by offering eternal life. I cannot think of anyone that does not want eternal life. God will help us by giving us eternal life, if we will pursue things that are of Him. His things are eternal. Things like love, truth, and goodness are eternal and are of Him.