Enduring to the end is not about earning God’s love—it’s about accepting it and allowing it to transform us. Many struggle with the idea of unconditional love, assuming that salvation is either a one-time event or a reward for obedience. Yet scripture teaches that God’s love is steadfast, even when we falter. When we endure, we remain open to that love, allowing it to shine through us. True endurance is not just surviving trials but walking in the light of Christ, keeping the Law written in our hearts. To endure is to remain faithful, not out of fear of punishment, but out of love for God and trust in His divine plan.
- God’s Love is Constant and We Can Choose to Walk in It: God does not withdraw His love from us, but we can close ourselves off from it. Enduring to the end means remaining in His light, even in difficult times. (John 3:16-17, Doctrines of the Saints 59:12)
- Endurance is a Journey, Not a One-Time Event: Being born again is not the finish line—it is the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith, transformation, and deepening our relationship with God. We must continue to grow in grace and remain steadfast in love. (Matthew 24:13, Alma 8:87-92 [11:34-37])
- Faith and Works Go Hand in Hand: Our endurance is demonstrated in how we live. True faith produces action, and enduring to the end means aligning our lives with God’s will, loving God and others through our choices. (Romans 3:19-24, James 2:14-18, 26)
Written on Our Hearts
He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” —Matthew 24:13
To endure to the end the Torah must be written in our hearts, we accept the Lord’s unconditional love. Yet some would argue there are conditions. Why endure to the end to be saved if we are saved once born again? This is a simple matter to comprehend.
Conditional love is to say that God will only love us if we are good, seeing us as we are now, rather than who we truly are, who we are to become. The problem with this idea of love is that it implies we are rewarded only when we’re loved and only loved when we’re good. This is basically saying that when good things happen to bad people, they must actually be good because God loves them, and when bad things happen to good people they must not actually be good because God doesn’t love them. This is what is called the prosperity gospel. This is not how God works. Enduring to the end is accepting God’s love no matter what comes. That love never goes away, yet we have the freedom to reject it.
Unconditional Love
The unconditional love of God is seen in Jesus Christ (John 3:16-17). When looking upon the wickedness of the people in the day of Enoch, God wept (Enoch 37:16-17; Moses 7:28-29, PoGP; Community of Christ DaC 36:6b-c). Why would God weep if he did not love us? The answer can be found in a revelation given to Joseph Smith Jr. in regards to the temple:
If ye keep my commandments [instructions or teachings] ye shall have power to build it [the temple]: f ye keep not my commandments, the love of the Father shall not continue with you; therefore, ye shall walk in darkness.” —Doctrines of the Saints 59:12
The love of the Father shall not carry with us? Does this mean God will stop loving us? No. It means we will no longer extrude God’s love. His light will no longer shine from us, and we will walk in darkness. When we love God and love our neighbors we cannot help but keep the Lord’s commandments as God’s light shines from us like a beacon. But when we reject God, we close the prayer written in our hearts, that light stops and we walk the earth in darkness.
God’s Love is Constant, We Choose to Walk in It
Many believe that when they sin, God turns away from them. But scripture teaches us that God remains with us, longing for our return. The story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) reminds us that even when we stray, God is ready to welcome us back. Walking in His love requires accepting His grace and allowing it to transform our hearts.
When we reject God’s love, we do not extinguish it; we merely shut ourselves off from it. Like a lighthouse standing firm in the storm, God’s love continues to shine—we must choose to turn toward it and let it guide us safely home.
Endurance is not a One-Time Event
Some believe that once they have experienced spiritual rebirth, they have reached their destination. However, the scriptures remind us that faith is a lifelong commitment. Just as a relationship requires nurturing, our connection to God requires daily effort and devotion.
Enduring to the end means remaining in communion with God, through prayer, scripture study, service, and repentance. We do not endure alone—God walks with us, and we are called to support one another as we journey toward Him.
Faith and Works Go Hand in Hand
Enduring faith produces action. We cannot say we love God and yet fail to love our neighbors. Nor can we claim faith without demonstrating it through obedience and service. James 2:26 reminds us that “faith without works is dead.”
True endurance is seen in our willingness to act on our beliefs. It is not merely professing faith but living it daily—choosing love over fear, righteousness over selfishness, and truth over convenience. Through Christ, we are given the strength to keep going, no matter how difficult the road.
Discussion Questions
- What does it mean to endure to the end? How is this different from simply believing in Christ?
- How does accepting God’s love change the way we live and interact with others?
- In what ways do we sometimes “walk in darkness,” even when we know God’s love is present?
- Why do you think faith and endurance might require action rather than passive belief?
- How can we support others in their journey of endurance and faith?
Suggestions for Action
- Spend five minutes each day examining ways you have endured in faith and areas where you need God’s strength. What challenges did you face today that tested your faith?
- Read one passage daily that speaks of perseverance (ex. Hebrews 12:1-2, 2 Nephi 31:20) and meditate on how it applies to your life. How does this passage encourage you to remain steadfast?
- Demonstrate endurance by showing Christlike love. Perform one intentional act of kindness each day. How does serving others help you stay close to God?
- Prayer for endurance, ask God to strengthen your heart, keep you on the path of righteousness, and help you overcome trials. What specific struggles do you need His help to endure?
- Write about a time when you felt like giving up but found strength through faith. How did God’s love help you endure?
Final Thought & Meditation
Close your eyes and imagine yourself walking a long and winding path. It is steep, and the journey is difficult. At times, you feel like stopping, sitting down, or even turning back. Then, you see a light ahead—a warm, inviting glow. It is the love of God, calling you forward.
You take a deep breath, gather your strength, and take another step. The path does not suddenly become easy, but now you know you are not walking alone. God walks beside you, encouraging you, strengthening you. Let this truth fill your heart:
You are not alone. Keep walking. Keep enduring. God’s love will carry you through.