Determination

 

And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined [krino - judge in one's own mind as to what is right, proper, expedient; to deem, decide, determine, resolve] to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.                  1 Corinthians 2:1-2 

Paul’s first letter to Corinth addressed many issues the church and its leadership faced, beginning with a problem of factions within the church. He encouraged them that there be no divisions among you (1 Corinthians 1:10). Through a deeper conversation about the word of the cross, he highlighted that the wisdom and power of God are not derived from men’s efforts or ability but through the Holy Spirit. Paul taught them that God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong (1 Corinthians 1:27). Taking the matter further, Paul made a determination, a resolve that his preaching would be defined by the person of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. His reasoning: and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).

A Personal, Crucified Christ

The only subject of teaching concerning which the Apostle had formed a determined resolve in his mind when coming to Corinth was the preaching of Christ and Him as being crucified. Paul did not dwell on the miraculous in the life of Christ, which would have pandered to the Jewish longing for a sign, nor did he put forward elaborate theories of the gospel, which would have been a concession to the Greek’s longing for wisdom. Instead, he preached a personal Christ, especially the fact that He had been crucified. He realized the stumbling block that preaching a crucified Christ would have been to both Jews and Greeks.

A Firm, Fixed Intention 

But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. “Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the Lord do to me, and worse, if anything, but death parts you and me.” When she saw that she was determined [amas – strong, determined, courageous] to go with her, she said no more to her.        Ruth 1:16-18

Meriam Webster defines determination as 1. the resolving of a question by argument or reasoning, 2. the act of deciding definitely and firmly, and 3. a firm or fixed intention to achieve a desired end. In the believer’s pursuit of getting to know God, he will be challenged to make serious decisions that dramatically affect his life. Ruth had to decide whether or not she would stay in her home country without a husband or follow Naomi, her mother-in-law, to a country she knew nothing about with no provisions of life in sight. That decision would ultimately affect all of history when she married Boaz and became part of the lineage of the Messiah. Each believer is presented at different times with choices that will affect his life and could change his future.

Daniel’s Commitment

But Daniel made up his mind [siym – appoint, commit, determine] that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank, so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. Now, God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials.               Daniel 1:8-9 

Young Daniel was presented with a similar decision of importance early on in his time in Babylon under foreign rule. His determination to stay kosher and not eat from the king's table testified to God that he would be faithful amid strong opposition. Later, he would be faced with death in a lion’s den if he did not stop praying to His God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God would use Daniel and his faithfulness to give us clear prophecies related to the end times, complementing God's revelations to the Apostle John on Patmos. They would alter the course of history and confirm God's promises to His people and beyond. 

The Son of Comfort

So, then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas [son of consolation, comfort] off to Antioch. Then, when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute [prothesis – determination, involves purpose, resolve, and design] heart to remain true to the Lord, for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year, they met with the church and taught considerable numbers, and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Now, at this time, some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.                    Acts 11:19-30

The above passage gives real insights into the heart of Barnabas. He was a Levite of Cyprus and an early convert to the Christian faith. His original name was Joses, but he derived his unusual title from his remarkable powers of exhorting the people and ministering consolation to the afflicted. He was one of those who gave up all his worldly substance, strength, and influence to support and spread the gospel. He introduced Paul to the disciples on the latter's visit to Jerusalem three years after his conversion, but the apostles were still unsure of Paul’s conversion. Paul left Jerusalem and spent the next ten years or so relearning the Scriptures from a new covenant perspective in Tarsus. Afterward, Barnabas brought Paul from Tarsus to Antioch, and they labored together for two years with great success. They attended the Council of Jerusalem. Following a disagreement over the role of John Mark, they separated, and Barnabas took John Mark with him on an independent missionary tour. 

Ministry to the Gentiles

The account refers to Stephen to illustrate another result of his martyrdom. His death helped move the gospel into Samaria and incited Saul to persecute the church more vigorously, and he consequently was converted. It created the environment for spreading the gospel to Gentile lands, including Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. It would take men of great faith with a determined heart and the power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill God’s ultimate plan.

Barnabas is an excellent example of a believer who is fulfilled in the purpose God has called him to do. Determination causes the believer to commit to a cause that is above and beyond him and willing to sacrifice himself for the greater purpose. It opens the door for the Holy Spirit to take charge and empower one to live a higher quality of life, committed to the faith as he has been taught. The first church gatherings were characterized by Acts 2:41-42: So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day, there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.

A Settled Mind

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast [hedraios – settled], immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.  1 Corinthians 15:58

Isaiah understood, "The steadfast [samak – uphold, sustained] of mind You will keep in perfect peace because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3). This perfect peace, literally shalom, shalom, is the byproduct of the heart and mind that are upheld or sustained by one’s willingness to trust in God. In Psalm 57:7, My heart is steadfast [kun – fixed], O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises! A steadfast heart is one fixed and immovable on the precious and magnificent promises of God, leading the believer into becoming a partaker of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). The hope of the resurrection and of future glory should stimulate us to great and self-denying efforts in honor of Him who has revealed that doctrine, and who purposes graciously to reward us there. Other people are influenced and excited to make great efforts in hopes of honor, pleasure, or wealth. Christians should be excited to toil and self-denial by the prospect of immortal glory and by the assurance that their hopes are not in vain and will not deceive them.

The Hope of the Gospel

And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.                      Colossians 1:21-23

Hebrews 6:19-20 tells us that This hope [elpis – desire of some good with a confident expectation it will occur] we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. This hope becomes an anchor for the soul as one continues in the faith, remaining steadfast and not moved away by outside influences. The enemy wishes to distract the believer by methods that undermine God’s promises.

Never Shaken 

For he will never be shaken; the righteous will be remembered forever. He will not fear evil tidings [bad news]; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is upheld; he will not fear until he looks with satisfaction on his adversaries. He has given freely to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted in honor. The wicked will see it and be vexed; he will gnash his teeth and melt away; the desire of the wicked will perish.                          Psalm 112:6-10

The one that will never be shaken is never to fear bad news or adversaries who oppress the people of God. This believer gives to the poor, and his heritage will be honored. Like the Jews sang after crossing the Red Sea:

“I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted; the horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea. “The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him; my father’s God and I will extol Him. “The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is His name. “Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea; and the choicest of his officers are drowned in the Red Sea. “The deeps cover them; they went down into the depths like a stone. “Your right hand, O Lord, is majestic in power, Your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. “And in the greatness of Your excellence, You overthrow those who rise up against You; You send forth Your burning anger, and it consumes them as chaff.            Exodus 15:1-7