Contrary to popular lore Thomas Edison didn’t invent the light bulb; in fact his 1879 patent was disallowed in the courts in 1883. The idea had been bantered about for almost 50 years, but no one had been able to successfully produce a lamp filament that survived for more than a few hours. Thus nobody could market a useful product. Edison’s genius was his steadfast persistence in searching for, and eventually finding, a filament material that would last hundreds of hours. It is reputed that he and his associates tried some 10,000 different materials over several years before eventually finding the solution to the filament longevity challenge. The answer was as simple as a thin strand of carburized Clark’s sewing thread sealed in a vacuum glass enclosure. Many years later Edison was asked if he was ever discouraged by so many failures before he finally succeeded. He is reputed to have replied: “We had conducted thousands of experiments on a certain project without solving the problem. One of my associates, after we had conducted the crowning experiment and it had proved a failure, expressed discouragement and disgust over our having failed to find out anything. I cheerily assured him that we had learned something. For we had learned for a certainty that the thing couldn’t be done that way, and that we would have to try some other way.”1
Even though Edison’s steadfast goal had been to create a bright inexpensive source of artificial light, he soon found that creating the light bulb wasn’t enough. Three years after he started manufacturing light bulbs, Edison’s company had sold them to only a little over 200 customers. He realized that to make the product successful he would have to create a whole new infrastructure that would make light bulbs acceptable to the public. Hence he went on to develop the electric dynamo, electric fuses, power stations, a Copper wire distribution system, electric meters and so on.
Even with these developments, ten years after he had patented his light bulb he only had a little over 700 customers. Edison was probably the most steadfastly persistent inventor who ever lived, and he persevered. By forging ahead to develop the infrastructure (sometimes even in the face of potential financial ruin), he eventually had, by 1899, three million customers. He had also altered the face of the world.
Forging ahead steadfastly towards a goal is a character trait that all faithful followers of the Lord Jesus Christ need to develop — “knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord”. We strive not for millions of customers and financial reward, but for a much higher calling, the Kingdom of God — “for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).
Edison could have given up, but because he was firm in his determination to accomplish his goal he succeeded when many others before him had failed. He demonstrated that steadfastness is not only a character trait that can help one become a successful inventor, but it is also an attribute that will serve us well on the path to the Kingdom of God.
Several different Hebrew and Greek words were translated by the English root word “steadfast” in the King James Bible. The oldest reference appears to be in the Book of Job, 11:15, where the Hebrew word comes from a root meaning, “to melt or cast as metal; by extension, to place firmly, to stiffen or grow hard.”2molten metal is a fluid that can be poured into a mold and take any shape that the skill of the model maker can pattern. However, once the mold cools and the metal takes its solid form, it is hard and strong. Without reheating, it will require great force to reshape into some other object. Ancients were of course familiar with this simile, since armor and weapons of war were cast metals and prized for their strength. In the same manner we need to be malleable to the word of God. We should let His Word be poured into us and let it mold us into firm, steadfast creatures as that Word solidifies.
One weakness that can overcome us is the inability to accept basic doctrine and to move on to fulfilling the fruits of the spirit (Heb 6:1). Such a person is continually arguing with himself, and others, concerning their doubts. The apostle Paul castigates the Ephesians for exactly this failing. Instead of being steadfast in holding onto the doctrines they were taught, they were constantly enamored by new ideas that departed from the Truth. The apostle tells them:
“We should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting” (Eph 4:14, NKJV; see also Heb 5:11-14).
If we are steadfast in our goal of achieving the Kingdom of God, then we will stick to our task of conquering the flesh and not be discouraged when we are blown off course by the storms of life.
Sometimes when trouble buffets an ecclesia there is the temptation, in effect, to pull up our stakes and run. There is this marvelous comment in the book of Acts:
“They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).
Obviously, at that time, the fervor of the first century Christians was at its peak, but with the passage of time the steadfastness of holding to the “apostles’ doctrine and fellowship” didn’t hold up. We know this because we have all of the letters of the apostles (Paul, Peter, James, Jude and John) that address the weaknesses of the various first century ecclesias.
We are no different today; we suffer from temptations and trials from within and without. What are we then to do when we find ourselves in an ecclesial situation where there is no longer a congregational commitment to be steadfast in the “apostles’ doctrine and fellowship”? It is important that we realize that the ecclesia is a God-given institution (Matt 18:17). It is the foundation of the Truth: “I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1Ti 3:15).
If the ecclesia is not being steadfast we owe it to the congregation to be steadfast ourselves. It is patently wrong for us to stay away from meeting when we are upset with something that has occurred, because we may feel offended in some way. It is instead our job to do our best in a patient loving way to correct the wrong. The book of Hebrews exhorts us:
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb 10:24, 25, NKJV).
Instead of thinking of ourselves we need to think of the need of others.
We didn’t choose the membership of our ecclesias.
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called” (1Co 1:26).
The ecclesia is not a social club where people of like social status and interests associate together for mutual enjoyment. The only thing that everyone in a particular congregation may have in common is their calling to the Word of God. In such a situation it may indeed be necessary to “stir up”3up love (for it will not always naturally occur). If we forsake the gathering of ourselves together, we are certainly not remaining steadfast in our own faith.
Sometimes 2 Corinthians 6:17 and Revelation 18:4 are quoted as justification for separation, but clearly neither of these refers to ecclesial circumstances. The former reference is to the idolatry and lusts of the world, while the latter citation alludes to the harlot Church. Unless one’s ecclesia has gone completely worldly and/or adopted the doctrines of the harlot church, one should not forsake it. It is only under the most extreme circumstances that one should remove oneself from an ecclesial assembly and seek association elsewhere. Thus, withdrawing for perceived offenses and refusing to go to any meeting cannot be justified on Scriptural grounds. This places us in the position of judging our brethren when indeed the mote may be in our own eyes. The bottom line is that we shouldn’t give up on our brothers and sisters. We need to be firm in our own faith and steadfast in renewing the faith of others if necessity should make it so.
Edison’s story has another valuable lesson. If we are steadfast in our goal of achieving the Kingdom of God, we can sometimes learn more from our failures than we can from our meager successes. We will not be able to succeed in everything we do. Unfortunately, there may be times that we will sin miserably, but we can recover as long as we don’t give up. In speaking of forgiveness the Lord Jesus taught us that God’s mercy is virtually without limit. The Scriptures don’t teach ‘three strikes and you are out’, as happens not only in baseball but also in the penal codes of some states. Instead, Jesus told his disciples when it comes to
Forgiving sins:
“I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (Matt 18:22, NKJV).
The psalmist tells us that with God there is forgiveness that he “may be feared” (Psa 130:4). The seemingly curious connection between “forgiveness” and “fear” is readily understood from the root meaning of the original Hebrew word in Psalm 130, which refers not to terror, but to deep reverence. God is to be revered because of His virtually unlimited capacity for forgiveness, a quality that has been amply demonstrated in that He gave his only begotten Son for the sins of the world (John 3:16). Since God is steadfast in His love for us, it is only reasonable that we do our best to return that love by not giving into our failures. Even if we make 10,000 mistakes, we can eventually succeed by learning from our defeats. By seeking to do better we can overcome the weaknesses of the flesh.4The Word of God is the key to learning how to overcome our failures and get back on the road to eternal life:
“Keep my commandments, and live…” (Prov 7:2).
“If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love” (John 15:10).
Continual study and contemplation of the Word of God will strengthen us in keeping His commandments. It is said of the godly man:
“His delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Psa 1:2).
If we are steadfast in keeping the Word of the LORD before us, then we will be strengthened to keep His commandments. As a result, sin will flee away and we will indeed abide in His love. This is more than just doing our daily Bible readings. It involves keeping the Word of God always before us in all our dealings in life.
How else can we overcome failure? One thing to bear in mind is that, contrary to myth, scientists and inventors rarely if ever work alone. Edison had a whole team of engineers that worked with him. Einstein said that he stood on the shoulders of giants, referring to the fact that he was only able to accomplish what he did by learning from the work of the many scientists who had preceded him. The world has learned how to succeed in conquering weaknesses of the flesh by setting up such self-help organizations as Alcoholics Anonymous and Weight Watchers. The premise of these organizations (and similar entities) is that mutual self-support by a group of people with similar weaknesses strengthens the individual and allows them to be steadfast in accomplishing their goals, whether it be to abstain from alcohol or to develop good eating habits to control weight.5
The ecclesia was founded by the Lord Jesus Christ and is the ultimate self-help organization. We are all suffering from the severe weakness of giving into sin; we are ‘sinaholics’. By association with the ecclesia in coming to Bible classes, attending the memorial service and participating to the fullest in the religious and social life of our fellow brothers and sisters, we place ourselves in a climate that will help us conquer sin in the flesh. However, just as alcoholics and foodaholics can fail by not sticking to the programs of their respective support groups, even so we can fail in serving God by not being steadfast in our support of the ecclesia. An obvious corollary of these thoughts is that the elders of an ecclesia have a great responsibility to see that the congregation is served effectively, so that an atmosphere of love and respect prevails at all times for all members. Alcoholics Anonymous would never have someone who is visibly drunk run an AA meeting, nor would Weight Watchers have a 300-pound moderator telling others how to control their eating habits. Neither should an ecclesia have arranging brothers who are not spiritual examples to the flock.
Fortunately, God has provided us with the perfect example of steadfastness, demonstrated in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. He knew from his youth (Luke 2:49) that he was destined to do his Father’s will, and he never wavered from that task. Jesus was able to say:
“I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12, NKJV).
This is truly a light that has never failed, and never will. It has lasted almost 2,000 years and will continue to shine forever.
- Quoted from an interview with Edison, published in the January 1921 issue of American Magazine.
- Strong’s number 3332.
- The KJV uses the word “provoke” here, which is even stronger. See Strong’s 3948.
- I am not saying here that one should commit sin 10,000 times before learning to stop any more than Jesus was asking one to sin 490 times before ceasing. The numbers are mere metaphors for not giving up.
- I am a gold key alum of Weight Watchers, so I know this from personal experience.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One