Peter used the word “perseverance” to describe the fifth level of spiritual development through which God desires to bring His people. In the New International Version of the Bible the term "perseverance" occurs thirteen times, all in the New Testament; and is always translated from the Greek noun “hypomone,” which refers to “endurance in the face of trials.” When applied to followers of Jesus, “perseverance” describes the ability to continue following Him in spite of hindrances or opposition from the Devil, the flesh, or the world. In short, “perseverance” is the ability to “keep on keeping on.” It is refusing to quit. In this lesson final lesson on “perseverance,” I want to briefly discuss one more key component in the process of achieving it—that component is “Consider Jesus.” Let’s review what the author of Hebrews wrote in the opening lines of chapter twelve: “Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2a, NIV). These words obviously form the introduction to a lesson on “perseverance.” The next sentence is a broad description of the hardship Jesus endured as He persevered through His suffering on the cross. He wrote, “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2b, NIV). Having highlighted the perseverance of Jesus through the intense suffering of crucifixion on a Roman rack of execution that we call a cross, the author concluded with a concise statement regarding how we can persevere rather than “grow weary and lose heart.” He wrote, “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:3, NIV). So in this lesson we will attempt to “Consider him”—that is “Consider Jesus!”