At least you're persevering.
Like I said before, PERSEVERING FOR THE WRONG MOTIVE, is Filthy Rags according to GOD.
IT HAS TO BE PURE LOVE as the MOTIVE, or it is worthless.
We are mostly evangelical types of Christians, which means we believe all of the BIBLE was inspired by GOD. And it should be interpreted LITERALLY, unless there is an obvious symbolism to it, such as:
Deuteronomy 4:24 (ESV)
24 For the LORD your God is
a consuming fire, a jealous God.
That does not mean HE literally is a BLAST FURNACE.
One of the Verses that
WE TAKE LITERALLY, and Completely is this VERSE:
2 Timothy 1:9 (HCSB)
9
He has saved us and called us with a holy calling,
not according to our works,
but according to His own purpose and grace,
which was given to us in Christ Jesus
before time began.
Jesus did it all! He completely and unconditionally SAVED us as a FREE GIFT before time began.
NOTHING WE CAN DO TO ADD TO IT. Our OBEDIENCE is purely as an act of LOVE, and even that we do not get credit for that act:
Romans 5:5 (HCSB)
5 This hope will not disappoint ⌊us⌋,
because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
His LOVE comes forth out of us, in the form of LOVE FOR GOD, and LOVE FOR OUR BRETHREN which manifest in our actions.
No, we give the GLORY to GOD for even those actions. You appear to be patting yourself on the BACK.
Philippians 4:13 (HCSB)
13 I am able to do all things through
Him who strengthens me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NJB)
9 but he has answered me, ‘My grace is enough for you: for power is at full stretch in weakness.' It is, then, about my weaknesses that I am happiest of all to boast, so that
the power of Christ may rest upon me;
Galatians 2:20 (HCSB)
20 and
I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.