He is the one who faced death and did not yield. As ambassadors of God, we too build bridges. Our bridge span the gap between heaven and earth. We face opposition, and the Scriptures depict our adversary the devil as a lion seeking to devour. Our enemy does not possess weapons . . . we do. He has been disarmed, and we are armed with the most powerful weapons available to men and women.
他是那个面对死亡却不屈服的人。作为上帝的使者，我们也在架设桥梁。我们的桥梁横跨天地之间的鸿沟。我们面临反对，圣经把我们的对手魔鬼描绘成一头试图吞噬的狮子。我们的敌人没有武器……我们有。他被解除了武装，而我们拥有人类所能拥有的最强大的武器。
There are battles to be won and strongholds to overcome. Often, these are rooted in mindsets, modes of operation, and patterns the enemy has instilled in the people of this world. Our opposition is formidable, but "in Christ" we are more powerful.
有些战斗需要打赢，有些堡垒需要攻克。通常，这些根源在于敌人灌输给世人的心态、行动方式和模式。我们的对手非常强大，但“在基督里”我们更强大。
So we face a wey important question: Will we fled adversity to save our lives, or will we be courageous and relentless as we pursue Heaven's mandate? I believe within this message are truths that have the potential to forge within you a relentless stance. Not only will these truths strengthen you to stand strong, but they will also equip you with the power to overcome and make a positive difference.
因此，我们面临一个非常重要的问题：我们会逃避逆境以保全生命，还是会勇敢而坚持不懈地追寻上天的旨意？我相信，这条信息中的真理有可能在你内心铸就不屈不挠的立场。这些真理不仅会给你力量让你坚强，而且还会赋予你克服困难、做出积极改变的力量。
It is essential that you be grounded in this knowledge. For far too long, God's people have gone into captivity.
你必须牢记这些知识。上帝的子民被奴役已久。
You were created to make a difference in your world of influence. Together, let's prayerfully accept the challenge as we discover the relentless power to never give up.
你生来就是为了在自己的影响世界中有所作为。让我们一起虔诚地接受挑战，因为我们会发现永不放弃的不懈力量。
Relentless
The Power You Need to Never Give Up
坚持不懈
永不放弃所需的力量
Flee or Fight?
逃跑还是战斗？
You experience adversity. You know what it is like to endure hardship. You hold on, buckle down, and ride the wave of bad fortune, praying you will make it out alive. You just do what it takes to survive.
你经历过逆境。你知道忍受苦难是什么感觉。你坚持住，全力以赴，克服厄运，祈祷自己能活下来。你只需要做一切必要的事情来生存下去。
But what if these trials had the raw potential to change your life? What if the challenges you face could propel you to the next level of faith and maturity? What if you were designed to thrive in adversity, not merely “get by"?
但如果这些考验有改变你人生的潜力，那又会怎样？如果你面临的挑战能将你的信仰和成熟度推向更高的层次，那又会怎样？如果你生来就是要在逆境中茁壮成长，而不仅仅是“勉强度日”，那又会怎样？
John Bevere wants to take you on a journey to unlock your tenacity. As he recounts the stories of Jesus and John the Baptist, as well as those of many contemporary believers, he presents a powerful pattern: These pillars of faith do not just hang on and survive troubles. They look adversity in the face and stare it down.
约翰·比弗尔想带你踏上一段释放坚韧意志的旅程。在讲述耶稣和施洗约翰以及许多当代信徒的故事时，他提出了一个强有力的模式：这些信仰支柱不仅仅是坚持不懈，还能在困难中生存下来。他们直面逆境，直面它。
Armed with the truth in the Word and the power of prayer, you, too, can join the determined ranks of the army of God. Will you fight relentlessly? Learn today how to fight, never give up, and enjoy all God has for you.
有了圣经中的真理和祷告的力量，你也可以加入上帝军队的坚定行列。你会坚持不懈地战斗吗？今天就学习如何战斗、永不放弃，并享受上帝为你准备的一切。
“John Bevere has a mandate on his life to serve the body of Christ. His desire to see everyone find and flourish in their God-given destiny is evident in his teachings. His love for Christ and deep revelation of the Word of God will have you pursuing the cause of Christ, relentlessly.” –Brian and Bobbie Houston, senior pastors, Hillsong Church. “约翰·比弗一生的使命就是服务基督的身体。他希望看到每个人都能找到上帝赋予的命运并在其中茁壮成长，这一点在他的教学中显而易见。他对基督的爱和对上帝之言的深刻启示将让你坚持不懈地追求基督的事业。”
Marked by boldness and passion, John Bevere delivers uncompromising truth.
约翰·比弗以大胆和热情传递着毫不妥协的真理。
Praise for Relentless 赞美不懈
“It’s one thing to write on a subject; it’s another thing to be a living demonstration of what you share. In word and in his life, John Bevere reveals the powerful effect that the relentless pursuit of God’s purpose produces. He inspires readers to move from spiritual passivity to a passionate pursuit of God’s will…a challenge worth embracing!” —James Robison, president, LIFE Outreach International, Fort Worth, Texas. “写出一个主题是一回事，而生动地展示你所分享的内容又是另一回事。约翰·比弗尔在言语和生活中揭示了不懈追求上帝旨意所产生的强大影响。他激励读者从精神上的被动转变为对上帝旨意的热情追求……这是一个值得接受的挑战！”
“John Bevere captures the premiere criteria for navigating through the vicissitudes of this life. He challenges every believer to go beyond the goal of stability into the much needed attribute of becoming Relentless. People who achieve great goals in life did it in part because they were relentless. I encourage you to take the time to read carefully this necessary word.” —Bishop T. D. Jakes, The Potter’s House.“约翰·比弗尔抓住了应对人生变迁的首要标准。他挑战每一位信徒超越稳定的目标，获得坚韧不拔的品质。实现人生伟大目标的人之所以能做到这一点，部分原因是他们坚韧不拔。我鼓励您花时间仔细阅读这句必不可少的话。”
“There are far too many one-hit wonders in the church. So few finish faithfully. But it doesn’t have to be that way. John Bevere, one of the most inspiring men in the body of Christ today, compellingly challenges us to believe that our lives are not destined to be cautionary tales of what could have been. Your faith and passion don’t have to flame out or fizzle. You can be Relentless.”—Steven Furtick, lead pastor, Elevation Church and author of Sun Stand Still.“教会里有太多昙花一现的奇迹。很少有人能忠实地完成。但事情不必如此。约翰·贝弗尔是当今基督教会中最鼓舞人心的人之一，他有力地挑战我们相信，我们的生活并非注定成为本可以成为的警世故事。你的信仰和热情不必熄灭或失败。你可以坚持不懈。”
“Each book John Bevere writes is a worthy contribution to building a solid, healthy, and fruitful life in Christ and for Him! Thanks John, for another brick!” —Jack W. Hayford. “约翰·比弗写的每本书都为在基督里和为他建立坚实、健康、富有成效的生活做出了有价值的贡献！谢谢约翰，又添砖加瓦！”
“Relentless is what the enemy is toward us. It is time we were likewise, relentless in both our faith and actions. God is raising up tenacious people who will not rest until His will is done. This book is an invaluable tool in this pursuit.” —Christine Caine, director, Equip & Empower Ministries, and founder, The A21 Campaign. “敌人对我们毫不留情。现在我们也应该同样毫不留情，无论是在信仰上还是在行动上。上帝正在培养坚韧不拔的人，他们不会休息，直到他的旨意得以实现。这本书是这一追求的宝贵工具。”
“A few years ago, I was given a bracelet with the words RELENTLESS on it…and I have worn the bracelet ever since, to remind my heart about my pursuit of Christ and His purpose for my life. This book, by the awesome John Bevere, continues to tell the great unfolding story of our passion and pursuit of Jesus and His incredibly great love for us. I know that this teaching will open the space of your heart that yearns for more.” —Darlene Zschech, worship leader and singer/songwriter. “几年前，有人送给我一只手镯，上面写着‘无情’……从那时起我就一直戴着这只手镯，提醒我追寻基督和祂对我人生的目标。这本书由了不起的约翰·比弗尔 (John Bevere) 撰写，继续讲述我们对耶稣的热情和追寻以及祂对我们无比伟大的爱的伟大故事。我知道这种教导将打开你内心渴望更多的东西的空间。”
“Relentless is one of the most spiritually provoking books I’ve read. John compels us to go beyond just enduring in life to overcoming with God’s authority in every area of our lives. It is a timely message of empowerment for the body of Christ that will propel you into the call of God on your life in a fierce and bold way. If you truly have a desire to finish strong and live relentlessly in every area of life God is calling you to, you’ve got to read this book.” —Stovall Weems, lead pastor, Celebration Church, Jacksonville, Florida, and author of Awakening. “《坚持不懈》是我读过的最具精神启发性的书之一。约翰迫使我们不仅仅是在生活中忍耐，还要在生活的每个领域用上帝的权威来克服困难。这是给基督身体赋予力量的及时信息，它将以一种强烈而大胆的方式推动你接受上帝对你生命的召唤。如果你真的渴望在上帝召唤你生活的每一个领域坚持不懈地生活，你就必须读这本书。”
“John Bevere’s new book Relentless is a must-read for those who have experienced a stumbling block of adversity. Relentless will walk you through God’s grace as He uses the valleys and storms in life to equip us for His destined purpose. John reminds us that God never gives up on us and we should never give up on Him.” —Jentezen Franklin, senior pastor, Free Chapel, and New York Times best-selling author.“约翰·比弗的新书《无情》是那些经历过逆境的人必读的书。《无情》将带你领略上帝的恩典，他利用生活中的低谷和风暴来装备我们，以实现他注定的目的。约翰提醒我们，上帝永远不会放弃我们，我们也永远不应该放弃他。”
“Let John Bevere become your spiritual personal trainer as you read through these inspiring pages. Relentless is packed full of wisdom and insight to help you run your race of faith with both passion and perseverance. If you want to finish well, then get started with this book now!” —Matt Redman, worship leader and songwriter.“在您阅读这些鼓舞人心的页面时，让约翰·比弗成为您的精神私人教练。《坚韧不拔》充满了智慧和洞察力，可以帮助您以热情和毅力奔跑信仰之路。如果您想取得好成绩，那么现在就开始阅读这本书吧！”
Relentless
(By John Bevere)
永不松懈
（作者：约翰·贝弗尔）
I imagine you agree with me on this: how we “finish” is more important than how we “begin.”
In the Christian life, the ultimate finish will be having our Lord say to us at the end, “Well done, My good and faithful servant!”
What will it take for you and me to hear those remarkable words from the One who means everything to us?To finish life well requires that we live life well. This certainly includes knowing how to “never give up.” It means having a relentless spirit. How do we acquire that? And why is it so important?
Honestly, I am concerned that many believers are not going to finish well. God once gave me a sobering vision that relates to the theme of this book.
A man was rowing a boat against the river’s strong current. He was straining hard to advance against the flow of the water—a tough task, but doable.
Other boats, bigger and luxurious and containing parties of people, frequently passed him flowing downstream. The people on these boats were laughing, drinking, and at ease. Occasionally they would look over at the man battling the current and mock him. He had to fight for every inch of progress while they did very little to absolutely nothing for theirs.
After a while the man grew weary of pressing against the current.
Tired and discouraged, he put up the oars. For a few moments he continued to drift upstream from the momentum, but soon came to a standstill. Then something sad and terrible happened: though still pointed upstream, his rowboat began to drift downstream with the current.
Soon the man noticed another party boat. This one was different from the other party boats for—like his own rowboat—this party boat also was pointed upstream, yet was flowing downstream with the current. This boat also carried people who were laughing, socializing, and at ease. Since it was pointed upstream—the direction the man had wanted to go—he decided to hop on and join with them. They now became a close-knit group. Unlike the other party boats that faced and traveled downstream, this boat pointed upstream. But, sadly, it continued flowing downstream with the current.
What is the interpretation of this vision? The river represents the world and the rowboat is our human body that enables us to live and function in this world. The man in the rowboat is a believer; his oars symbolize God’s unmerited grace. The party boats depict those joined in one purpose, and the river’s current represents the flow of this world, which is under the sway of the evil one.
By the oars of grace, the man has the ability to resist the current and move upstream to his destiny in advancing the kingdom of God. His physical strength represents his faith. Sadly, his strength wanes and he grows weary of the fight. He doesn’t think he has what it takes, when in reality he does. Consequently, he eventually runs out of steam and quits.
Once the man quits rowing, the boat continues moving forward (upstream) for a short time due to sheer momentum. And this is where deception moves in. He still sees some fruit in his life, even though what produced it no longer propels him. He erroneously thinks he can live at ease—no longer alert and vigilant—and still lead a successful Christian life.
Finally, the boat comes to a standstill, and then it begins to drift backward (downstream)—slowly at first, but eventually at the same speed as the current.
Here’s the telling part of the vision: while his boat is still pointed upstream, he drifts backward with the current. He now has the appearance of Christianity—knows the talk, the songs, and the mannerisms of the kingdom—but in reality he is conforming to the ways of the world (see 1 John 2:15–17).
Eventually our protagonist spots another boat, a party of other “believers” like him. They all consider themselves part of the church because they, too, are pointed upstream. They know the talk, the songs, and the mannerisms. However, they are at ease because they’ve settled for a fruitless “Christian” life and are under the sway of the evil one who controls the current.
Those in this “Christianity boat” are no longer persecuted or mocked by the nonbelieving world. In fact, they are accepted and sometimes hailed by the world’s influencers. They no longer press, press, press forward as the apostle Paul encouraged every Christian to do: “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). In fact, these drifting believers have little or no resistance to the ways of the world.
Consider what the apostle John wrote:
Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity. (1 John 2:16–17, MSG)
The vision I’ve described for you depicts three types of people: the believer, the unbeliever, and the deceived.
- The unbeliever just flows with the current, oblivious to the reality of wanting, wanting, wanting.
- The believer must press, press, press in the fight of faith to attain kingdom advancement.
- The deceived hides his or her motive of wanting, wanting, wanting through “Christian appearance” and the misuse of Scripture.
I know this vision presents a disturbing view of people of faith today, but it forces each of us to ask a vitally important question: “Which person do I resemble?” After all, God’s Word commands us to…
Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it. (2 Corinthians 13:5, MSG)
After seeing this vision and becoming aware of its interpretation, I became even more convicted by these words written to the Hebrew Christians:
Lift up your tired hands, then, and strengthen your trembling knees! Keep walking on straight paths.… Guard against turning back from the grace of God. (Hebrews 12:12–13, 15, TEV)
As children of God, we should desperately want to finish well for His glory. You and I should never want to turn back from God’s grace by growing weary, putting up our oars, and drifting with the current of this world’s system.
We need look no further than Scripture to find examples of what happens when people do or do not finish well. Consider Solomon, son of David and the wisest, richest, most powerful man of his time. He achieved heights that no human being for generations before or many afterward even came close to. However, he faltered—put up his oars—in the latter part of his reign, turning his heart from God to align with the world’s system.
Because Solomon had many foreign wives, more than likely he experienced tremendous conflict within his household over being single-minded in his allegiance and obedience to Jehovah. In order to keep peace, he did not remain loyal to Jehovah, but rather built altars for and even worshiped his favored wives’ foreign gods.
Solomon suffered greatly from his folly, but his children and grandchildren were affected even more profoundly. The kingdom that was entrusted to him, one that was strong from his father David’s faithfulness and grew even stronger with Solomon’s excellent start, suffered, was divided, and eventually withered from his failure to finish well. Israel’s history would have been significantly different if Solomon had remained relentless.
Now let’s compare Solomon with John the Baptist. John was resolute and held fast to truth, valiantly living and proclaiming it. He, like Solomon, was faced with adversity, but John’s potential consequences were far worse, for it was not a wife or several but the king of Judea who didn’t embrace the truth John proclaimed. Solomon faced a conflicted household, but John faced jail, torture, and possibly even death. Yet in the face of such cruel and extreme consequences, John remained immovable in his stance for truth, both in how he lived and the message he proclaimed. The result: John’s legacy is superior to Solomon’s.
Not only did John and Solomon face adversity—a rapid river’s current—but so do you and I. We are in a serious battle against the world’s vain, shallow values. Its influence is powerful. Deceptive. Alluring. It’s far too easy to grow weary, to think it’s okay to cease our perseverance, give in, and drift with the prevailing currents. But the only way for you and me to finish strong is to be relentless in our faith. In doing so we will become something to be reckoned with, a genuine threat to the kingdom of darkness.
A RELENTLESS SPIRIT
What does it mean to be relentless? The term describes an attitude or posture that is resolute, persistent, and unyielding. Simply put, it does not relent. To relent is to become more lenient, to slacken, or even to concede. Some of the synonyms that help define relentless are "adamant, rigorous, severe, uncompromising, unstoppable, tenacious," and even "dogged." Other descriptions include "constant, gritty, single-minded, steadfast, persistent," and "'stringent."
Relentlessness can apply to an evil, unyielding force, but for our discussion we're going to consider it in a positive, godly sense. Therefore, we'll apply the term to one who is valiant, courageous, and determined to complete the task at hand. Whether for the short-term or the long-term, a relentless heart is in it to finish according to the desired end. Nothing will deter him or her from the completed goal.
As we contemplate the relentless believer, we're talking about one who is absolutely unyielding in faith, hope, and obedience to God -- no matter what the adversity. The relentless believer, committed in every way to finishing well, is a history maker in the truest sense and will forever be known by heaven as one who warranted the Master's hearty "Well done."
These words on being relentless have not always described a man I know well--me! In fact, instead of having a relentless spirit, I had a "give-up" spirit. To be blunt, I was a quitter.
I became a child of God in 1979 while attending Purdue University. At the completion of that semester I returned home brimming with such enthusiasn that I immediately shared my newfound faith with my Catholic parents. My mother's reply? "John, this is one of your new fads. You'll quit this just like you've quit everything else."
The piercing sting of her comment wasn't her negative words or what seemed like a degrading indictment. No, it was quite the opposite because she was painfully right: I had a history o quitting almost everything.
I recall fighting the fear, as a single man, that I would never be able to have a lasting marriage. I typically stopped seeing girls past the second or third date. They were attractive and gifted and possessed great personalities, but I grew tired of them. Other guys would later date these same girls and form lasting relationships. Yet my pattern was to go from one girl to the next.
And it wasn't just in dating that I was a quitter. I began piano lessons but begged to quit after six months. My parents wouldn't let me. Finally I became so apathetic that my piano teacher pleaded with my mom and dad to let me give up piano. In all her years of teaching piano, I was the only student she ever had encouraged to stop!
Later, I talked my parents into letting me take guitar lessons. We purchased an expensive guitar and I started strumming with pasion, but it lasted only a few months.
In sports, same result. I played baseball and quit after a couple of years. Then it was basketball, which lasted only one season. Next came golf; again, one season. Track and field: same result.
The list continues. I'd start reading books but never finish. In high school I read only one book in its entirety -- Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea. It was required reading, and since the book was short and I enjoyed fishing. I finished it.
I joined clubs only to quit a short time later. I turned to special interests and bought expensive equipment, only to allow it to sit in the closet or rust from lack of use after a strong and enthusiastic start.
In short, my mom was accurate in her assessment. Would I repeat my established pattern? Would I quit Christianity, my newfound faith in God, my new passion? Would my Bibles and study books end up in the closet with all my other short-lived interests?
The good news is that this former quitter has been passionate about Jesus Christ now for more than thirty years. I'm as committed today---yes, even more so---as I was when I came home and told my parents about my new faith. God Almighty, my Father, changed me from one who quickly conceded or tired. Through His Holy Spirit, He built within me the virtue of a rlentless spirit.
God made me a relentless believer.
If you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord, that same virtue is available to you. But it has to be developed. That's the purpose of this book--to reveal how you can increase and enhance this ability that God has freely given you so you can live well and finish strong.
GOD WROTE A BOOK ABOUT YOU
Do you realize who you are and how much God needs you --- to fulfill your destiny in advancing His cause here on earth? Does it surprise you that the heavenly Father is depending on you?
God has specifically designed a life-course for you! Your entire life was mapped out prior to your birth. The psalmist declares:
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed. (Psalm 139:16, NLT)
God wrote a book about you before your parents even thought of having you --before a single day had passed. Celebrities and rulers aren't the only ones with books containing their life story. No, yours is recorded too, but the amazing reality is this: it was mappcd out and penned by God before you were born.
You may protest, "John, you have no idea who you're talking to! My life has had bumps, bruiscs, and even wrecks duc to my bad choices. Did God author that?"
No, a thousand times, no! God mapped out our lives, and it is up to us to make the right choices in order to walk in the exhilarating path He created for us. Wrong choices can detour us, but genuine repentance can right the ship.
You may again question, "But I've had terrible things happen that were not the result of bad choices. Life has dealt me some hard blows. Did God author those disappointments and hardships?
Again, no! We live in fallen world. Consequently, Jesus said we would have tribulation and would suffer adversity. The good news is that because God knew what manner of evil would try to overtake you before you were born, in His wisdom He made paths to escape and even come out triumphant. This is why in His Word He calls relentless believers "overcomers."
Hebrews 12:1 exhorts each of us, "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." God has set a race before you, me, and each of His children. For you to finish the race well means you'll have to run with endurance, or relentlessness. It cannot be completed any other way. It's interesting to note that this is the single virtue highlighted in this passage. The writer doesn't say "Let us run with happiness" or "Let us run with purpose" or "Let us run with seriousness." Don't get me wrong -- happiness, purpose, and seriousness, as well as other virtues, are all important to the Christian walk. But the key virtue is relentlessness
It takes a relentless spirit to finish well. Finishing wel requires persistence and endurance. I love The Message Bible's rendition of Hebrews 12:1: "Strip down, start running — and never quit!" Completing our course is crucial not only for us but also for those we are called to influence. It's important not to turn back or veer from the path that God has put before us. If you are a child of God, you have what it takes! God has placed that enabling power, the Holy Spirit, within you. If you remain steadfast, you will be able to declare with the apostle Paul, "I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful" (2 Timothy 4:7, NLT).
You may be facing adversity in your marriage, family, employment, business, school, finances, health, or elsewhere. Your situation may seem utterly hopeless and without solution —intimidating, exhausting currents trying to force you to give up and drift downstream. The good news is, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible" (Mark 10:27). No matter how tough your circumstances, they are not impossible to God. But Jesus did place an important qualifier on this promise. "If you can believe," He said, "all things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23). It takes a relentless believer to see the impossible become posible, That's what this message is all about: facing what is beyond your human ability and, by God's strength and grace, secing the impossible made possible,
Hear me! God desires to call you "great in His sight" (Luke 1:15). He is for you, and no one wants your success in life more than God Himself. He's prepared for you a fabulous life and foresees a great finish in which you leave a legacy of faith, signifcance, and greatncss to the benefit of others. But it's all contingent on you being relentless believer.
You may be thinking, But, John, honestly, I'm not exactly a resolute type of person. I don't have a history of sticking it out through tough times.
If that describes you, there's more good news.
Your history doesn't matter. Because of the grace of Jesus Christ, you're not doomed to repeat the past. It's indeed possible for you to become a relentless believer and to finish well. You're a candidate for great joy in seeing a desirable end. Whether it is for a short-term chapter of your life or your full lifetime, you are destined to be great in the sight of God. This is His promise!
There's no escaping the adversity waiting for each of us if we follow the path of Jesus. The stakes are high and the eternal rewards priceless. You have a vicious enemy who, to put it bluntly, wants to destroy your influence and wreck your God-assigned mission. As far as Satan is concerned, you are a threat and need to be stopped — indced, he will be happy when you are "dead." But because of what happened at the cross of Jesus Christ for us, Satan is now a defeated foe! Every battle we face against him is already won! But we still have to fight him, his cohorts, and their influence -— relentlessy. Together we will learn how.
You were created to make a difference in this world. You are a child of the King, destined to rule on His behalf. The keys to the kingdom are in your pocket! As you walk closely with Him and commit to being relentles in your faith, He will give you all the strength and guidance you need to overcome the strong currents that flow against you.
Before we move on, let's commit this journey together to the Lord:
Dear God, as I read this book may Your Holy Spirit teach and enlighten me. I want more than mere information or inspiration; I want to experience beside knowing the richness and enormity of the calling You've placed upon my life. I want to know the power You have placed within me to accomplish my destiny.
Through this message, strengthen me to stand firm in truth and relentless in battle against any adversity that arises to hinder what You want accomplished through me. You've brought me forth for such a time as this; I pray that the message of Relentless would equip me to help fulfill Your divine plan while bringing glory to Your name and joy to Your heart. It's in the name of Jesus Christ that I make this request. Amen.
( continue here )
我想你会同意我的观点：我们如何“结束”比我们如何“开始”更重要。
在基督徒的生活中，最终的结束将是我们的主在最后对我们说：“做得好，我善良忠实的仆人！”
你和我需要什么才能听到对我们意义重大的那位说出这些非凡的话？要完美地结束一生，就需要我们好好生活。这当然包括知道如何“永不放弃”。这意味着拥有坚持不懈的精神。我们如何获得这种精神？为什么它如此重要？
老实说，我担心许多信徒不会有好结果。上帝曾经给我一个与本书主题相关的清醒愿景。
一个人在河水湍急的河水中划船。他努力逆着水流前进——这是一项艰巨的任务，但可以做到。
其他更大、更豪华、载满乘客的船只经常从他身边驶过，顺流而下。 这些船上的人都在欢笑、喝酒，并且很自在。他们偶尔会看着那个与水流搏斗的人，并嘲笑他。他必须为每一寸的进步而奋斗，而他们却几乎什么也没做。
过了一会儿，那个人厌倦了逆流而上。
他又累又沮丧，便举起了桨。有一会儿，他继续顺着水流向上游漂去，但很快就停了下来。然后发生了一件悲伤而可怕的事情：尽管他的划艇仍指向上游，但它开始随着水流向下游漂去。
很快，那个人注意到了另一艘派对船。这艘船与其他派对船不同，因为——就像他自己的划艇一样——这艘派对船也指向上游，但却顺着水流向下游行驶。这艘船上也载着欢笑、社交和自在的人。由于它指向上游——这是那个人想要去的方向——他决定跳上去加入他们。他们现在成了一个紧密团结的团体。 与其他面向下游的派对船不同，这艘船指向上游。但可悲的是，它继续顺流而下。
这个愿景的解释是什么？河流代表世界，划艇是我们人类的身体，使我们能够在这个世界上生活和运作。划艇上的人是信徒；他的桨象征着上帝不配的恩典。派对船描绘了那些为了一个目标而团结在一起的人，河流代表着这个世界的潮流，这个世界正受到邪恶者的支配。
凭借恩典的桨，这个人有能力抵抗潮流，逆流而上，推进上帝的王国，实现他的命运。他的体力代表他的信仰。可悲的是，他的力量逐渐减弱，他厌倦了战斗。他认为自己没有能力，但实际上他有。因此，他最终精疲力竭并退出。
一旦这个人停止划船，船就会继续向前（逆流）行驶一小段时间，这完全是出于动力。而这时欺骗开始出现。他仍然看到生活中的一些成果，尽管产生这些成果的动力不再推动他。他错误地认为他可以安逸地生活——不再警觉和警惕——同时仍然过着成功的基督徒生活。
最后，船停了下来，然后开始向后漂流（顺流）——起初很慢，但最终与水流速度相同。
这是这个异象最有说服力的部分：虽然他的船仍然指向上游，但他却随波逐流向后漂流。他现在有了基督徒的外表——知道王国的谈话、歌曲和举止——但实际上他正在顺应世界的方式（见约翰一书 2:15-17）。
最终，我们的主角发现了另一艘船，一群像他一样的“信徒”。 他们都认为自己是教会的一部分，因为他们也是顺流而上的。他们知道谈话、歌曲和举止。然而，他们很安逸，因为他们已经安于一种毫无成果的“基督徒”生活，并受到控制潮流的邪恶者的支配。
那些在“基督教之船”上的人不再受到非信徒世界的迫害或嘲笑。事实上，他们被世界有影响力的人接受，有时还受到他们的欢呼。他们不再像使徒保罗鼓励每个基督徒那样努力向前：“向着标竿直跑，要得神在基督耶稣里从上面召我来得的奖赏”（腓立比书 3:14）。事实上，这些随波逐流的信徒对世俗的方式几乎没有抵抗力。
想想使徒约翰所写的：
实际上，世界上发生的一切——想要按照自己的方式行事、想要为自己做一切、想要显得重要——都与天父无关。它只会将你与他隔离开来。这个世界以及它所有的欲望、欲望、欲望正在消亡——但凡是按照上帝的意愿行事的人都将获得永恒。（约翰一书 2:16-17，MSG）
我为你描述的景象描绘了三种人：信徒、非信徒和受骗者。
- 非信徒只是随波逐流，对欲望、欲望、欲望的现实视而不见。
- 信徒必须在信仰的斗争中不断努力，才能获得王国的进步。
- 受骗者通过“基督徒的外表”和对圣经的滥用来隐藏他或她的欲望、欲望、欲望的动机。
我知道这个异象呈现出了当今信徒的令人不安的形象，但它迫使我们每个人都问一个至关重要的问题：“我像哪一个人？”毕竟，上帝的话语命令我们……
考验自己，确保你的信仰坚定。不要随波逐流，把一切都视为理所当然。定期检查自己。你需要第一手证据，而不是道听途说，证明耶稣基督在你心中。测试一下。如果你没有通过测试，就做些什么。（哥林多后书 13:5，MSG）
在看到这个异象并意识到它的解释后，我对写给希伯来基督徒的这些话更加坚信不疑：
所以，你们要举起你们疲乏的手，坚固你们颤抖的腿！走直路……要谨防背离上帝的恩典。 （希伯来书 12:12–13, 15，TEV）
作为上帝的孩子，我们应该迫切希望为了上帝的荣耀而圆满结束。你我永远不应该因为厌倦、放弃和随波逐流而放弃上帝的恩典。
我们只需在圣经中寻找例子，就能知道当人们圆满结束或没有圆满结束会发生什么。想想大卫的儿子所罗门，他是他那个时代最聪明、最富有、最有权势的人。他所取得的高度是前几代或后几代人都无法比拟的。然而，在他统治的后期，他却动摇了——放弃了——将他的心从上帝那里转向了世界体系。
因为所罗门娶了许多外国妻子，他很可能在家庭中经历了巨大的冲突，因为他一心一意地效忠和服从耶和华。 为了维护和平，所罗门没有忠于耶和华，而是为他宠爱的妻子的外国神筑坛，甚至崇拜她们。
所罗门因他的愚蠢而遭受了巨大的损失，但他的子孙受到的影响更大。所罗门所托付的王国，因他父亲大卫的忠诚而强大，并因所罗门的良好开局而变得更加强大，但由于他未能很好地完成任务，这个王国遭受了损失，陷入了分裂，最终衰落。如果所罗门坚持不懈，以色列的历史将会大不相同。
现在让我们将所罗门与施洗约翰进行比较。约翰坚定不移，坚守真理，勇敢地生活和宣扬真理。他和所罗门一样，面临着逆境，但约翰的潜在后果要严重得多，因为不接受约翰宣扬的真理的不是他的妻子或几个妻子，而是犹大的国王。 所罗门面对的是家庭矛盾，而约翰则面临牢狱、酷刑，甚至死亡。然而，面对如此残酷和极端的后果，约翰仍然坚定不移地坚持真理，无论是他的生活方式还是他所宣扬的信息。结果：约翰的遗产优于所罗门。
不仅约翰和所罗门面临逆境——湍急的河流——你我也一样。我们正在与世界虚荣、肤浅的价值观进行一场严肃的斗争。它的影响力是强大的。欺骗性的。诱人的。我们太容易疲倦了，认为停止坚持、屈服并随波逐流是可以的。但你我唯一能坚强地完成的方法就是坚持我们的信仰。这样，我们将成为一个不容小觑的人，对黑暗王国构成真正的威胁。
不屈不挠的精神
坚持不懈意味着什么？ 该术语描述的是一种坚决、执着和不屈服的态度或姿态。简而言之，它不会松懈。松懈就是变得更加宽容、放松甚至让步。一些有助于定义“坚持不懈”的同义词是“坚定、严谨、严厉、不妥协、不可阻挡、顽强”，甚至“顽固”。其他描述包括“恒定、坚韧、专心、坚定、执着”和“严格”。
坚持不懈可以指邪恶、不屈不挠的力量，但在我们的讨论中，我们将从积极、虔诚的角度来考虑它。因此，我们将用这个词来形容英勇、勇敢并决心完成手头任务的人。无论是短期还是长期，坚持不懈的心都会按照期望的结果完成任务。没有什么可以阻止他或她完成目标。
当我们思考坚持不懈的信徒时，我们谈论的是无论遇到什么逆境，都绝对不屈不挠地信仰、希望并服从上帝的人。坚持不懈的信徒，以各种方式致力于完美收场，是真正意义上的历史创造者，天堂将永远将他视为值得主衷心称赞“做得好”的人。
这些关于坚持不懈的话语并不总是用来描述一个我很了解的人——我！ 事实上，我没有坚持不懈的精神，而是“放弃”的精神。坦率地说，我是一个半途而废的人。
1979 年，我在普渡大学就读时成为上帝的孩子。那个学期结束后，我满怀热情地回到家，立即与信奉天主教的父母分享了我的新信仰。我母亲的回答是什么？“约翰，这是你的新时尚之一。你会放弃这个，就像你放弃其他一切一样。”
她评论的刺痛之处并不在于她的负面话语或看似有辱人格的控诉。不，恰恰相反，因为她说得非常对：我曾经放弃过几乎所有事情。
我记得自己作为一个单身汉，一直在与恐惧作斗争，担心自己永远无法拥有持久的婚姻。我通常在第二次或第三次约会后就不再和女孩见面了。 她们很有魅力，很有天赋，性格也很好，但我渐渐厌倦了她们。后来，其他男人也和这些女孩约会，并建立了持久的关系。而我的模式是从一个女孩换到另一个女孩。
而且，我不仅在约会方面是个半途而废的人。我开始学钢琴，但六个月后就求着放弃。我的父母不让我放弃。最后，我变得如此冷漠，以至于我的钢琴老师恳求我的父母让我放弃钢琴。在她教钢琴的这些年里，我是她唯一鼓励过放弃的学生！
后来，我说服父母让我去上吉他课。我们买了一把昂贵的吉他，我开始充满激情地弹奏，但只持续了几个月。
在体育方面，结果也是一样。我打棒球，几年后就放弃了。然后是篮球，只持续了一个赛季。接下来是高尔夫；又是一个赛季。田径：结果也是一样。
这个清单还在继续。我开始读书，但从未读完。高中时，我只读完整本书——欧内斯特·海明威的《老人与海》。这是必读书目，因为书很短，而且我喜欢钓鱼。所以我读完了它。
我加入了俱乐部，但不久后就退出了。我开始对特殊兴趣感兴趣，买了昂贵的装备，但在最初充满热情之后，却只能让它闲置在壁橱里或因缺乏使用而生锈。
简而言之，我妈妈的评价很准确。我会重复我既定的模式吗？我会放弃基督教、我对上帝的新信仰、我的新激情吗？我的圣经和学习书籍会和我所有其他短暂的兴趣一起被扔进壁橱吗？
好消息是，这位曾经的放弃者现在已经对耶稣基督充满热情三十多年了。今天，我的忠诚度——是的，甚至更加坚定——就像我回家告诉父母我的新信仰时一样。 全能的上帝，我的父亲，改变了我，让我不再是一个轻易屈服或疲倦的人。通过他的圣灵，他在我心中建立了一种不屈不挠的精神美德。
上帝让我成为一个不屈不挠的信徒。
如果你已经接受耶稣基督作为你的主，同样的美德也适用于你。但它必须得到发展。这就是这本书的目的——揭示你如何增加和增强上帝免费赋予你的这种能力，这样你就可以过上好日子，坚强地结束一生。
上帝写了一本关于你的书
你知道你是谁，上帝多么需要你——来实现你的命运，推进他在地球上的事业吗？天父依靠你，这让你感到惊讶吗？
上帝专门为你设计了一条人生路线！你的整个人生在你出生前就已经规划好了。诗篇作者宣称：
在我出生之前，你就看到了我。
我生命中的每一天都记录在你的书中。
每一刻都已安排好，
一天还没过去。（诗篇 139:16，新约圣经）
在你的父母想到要你之前——甚至在一天过去之前——上帝就为你写了一本书。名人和统治者并不是唯一拥有记载他们人生故事的书的人。不，你的人生故事也被记录下来了，但令人惊奇的事实是：你的人生故事在你出生之前就被上帝规划和书写下来了。
你可能会抗议，“约翰，你不知道你在跟谁说话！我的人生跌宕起伏，伤痕累累，甚至因为错误的选择而支离破碎。这是上帝的作品吗？”
不，一千次都不是！上帝规划了我们的生活，我们必须做出正确的选择，才能走上他为我们创造的令人振奋的道路。错误的选择会让我们走弯路，但真诚的悔改可以让我们走上正轨。
你可能会再次质疑，“但我经历过可怕的事情，但这些可怕的事情并不是错误选择的结果。生活给了我一些沉重的打击。上帝创造了这些失望和艰辛吗？
再说一次，不是！我们生活在堕落的世界。因此，耶稣说我们会有苦难，会遭受逆境。好消息是，因为上帝在你出生前就知道什么样的邪恶会试图超越你，所以他以他的智慧为你开辟了逃脱的道路，甚至让你取得胜利。这就是为什么在他的圣言中，他称坚持不懈的信徒为“得胜者”。
希伯来书 12:1 劝诫我们每个人，“存心忍耐，奔那摆在我们前头的路程。”上帝在你、我和他每个孩子面前都安排了一场比赛。要想跑好这场比赛，就必须忍耐或坚持不懈。没有其他方式可以完成。有趣的是，这是 这段经文强调的唯一美德。作者并没有说，“让我们快乐地奔跑”或“让我们有目标地奔跑”或“让我们认真地奔跑”。不要误会我的意思——快乐、目标和认真以及其他美德对基督徒的行走都很重要。但关键的美德是坚持不懈
要完美地完成，需要坚持不懈的精神。完美地完成需要坚持和忍耐。我喜欢《圣经信息》对希伯来书 12:1 的翻译：“脱下衣服，开始奔跑——永不放弃！”完成我们的课程不仅对我们至关重要，对那些我们要影响的人也至关重要。重要的是不要回头或偏离上帝为我们铺平的道路。如果你是上帝的孩子，你就拥有了所需的一切！上帝已将那种赋予力量——圣灵，放在你里面。 如果你坚定不移，你就能和使徒保罗一起宣告：“我当跑的路我已经跑尽了，我仍然忠心”（提摩太后书4:7，NLT）。
你可能在婚姻、家庭、就业、生意、学业、财务、健康或其他方面面临逆境。你的处境可能看起来完全绝望，没有解决办法——令人生畏、令人精疲力竭的潮流试图迫使你放弃并顺流而下。好消息是，“在人不能，在神却不然，因为神凡事都能”（马可福音10:27）。无论你的处境多么艰难，对上帝来说都并非不可能。但耶稣确实对这个承诺加了一个重要的限定词。他说：“你若能信，在信的人，凡事都能”（马可福音9:23）。 只有坚定不移的信徒才能将不可能变为可能，这就是这条信息的全部意义：面对超出你人类能力的事情，并借助上帝的力量和恩典，将不可能变为可能，
听我说！上帝希望称你为“他眼中的大”（路加福音 1:15）。他支持你，没有人比上帝更希望你在生活中取得成功。他为你准备了精彩的人生，并预见了你伟大的结局，你将留下信仰、意义和伟大的遗产，造福他人。但这一切都取决于你是一个坚定不移的信徒。
你可能会想，但是，约翰，说实话，我并不是一个坚定的人。我没有在困难时期坚持下去的经历。
如果这描述了你，那么还有更多好消息。
你的过去并不重要。因为耶稣基督的恩典，你不会注定重复过去。你确实有可能成为一个坚持不懈的信徒，并取得圆满的结局。看到理想的结局，你会感到非常高兴。无论是你生命中的短暂篇章，还是你的一生，你注定要在上帝眼中成为伟人。这是他的承诺！
如果我们追随耶稣的道路，我们每个人都无法逃脱等待我们的逆境。赌注很高，而永恒的回报是无价的。你有一个恶毒的敌人，说白了，他想要摧毁你的影响力，破坏你上帝赋予的使命。就撒旦而言，你是一个威胁，需要被阻止——而且，当你“死”的时候他会很高兴。但是因为耶稣基督在十字架上为我们所做的一切，撒旦现在是一个被击败的敌人！ 我们面对的每场战斗都已经胜利了！但我们仍需与他、他的同伙以及他们的影响作斗争——毫不留情。我们将齐心协力，学会如何做。
你被创造出来是为了改变这个世界。你是国王的孩子，注定要代表他统治。王国的钥匙就在你的口袋里！当你与他紧密同行并致力于坚定你的信仰时，他将给予你所有的力量和指导，让你克服与你对抗的强大潮流。
在我们继续前进之前，让我们一起将这段旅程献给主：
亲爱的上帝，当我阅读这本书时，愿你的圣灵教导和启发我。我想要的不仅仅是信息或灵感；我想要体验，也想要了解你赋予我生命的召唤的丰富和巨大。我想知道你赋予我的力量来实现我的命运。
通过这个信息，让我坚强地站在真理中，坚持不懈地与任何阻碍你想通过我实现的目标的逆境作斗争。你把我带到这样的时刻； 我祈祷“无情”的信息能帮助我实现您的神圣计划，同时为您的名带来荣耀，为您的心带来欢乐。我奉耶稣基督的名提出此请求。阿门。
（继续）
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