perseverance is evidence

salvation in christ does not make you simply immune to life.  you will face temptations, hard times, and persecution.   

when you pass through the waters, i will be with you and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.  for i am the lord your God, the holy one of israel, your savior.  -isaiah 43:2-3a

"blessed is the man who trusts in the lord, whose trust is the lord.  he is like a tree planted by water that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." -jeremiah 17:7-8

"count it all joy my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  let steadfastness have its full effects that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing." -james 1:2-4

endurance in your faith through trials and persecutions makes you more christ-like.

"blessed be the God and father of our lord jesus christ! according to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of jesus christ from the dead to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  in this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of jesus christ." -1 peter 1:3-7

endurance in your faith and fruitfulness is evidence to your salvation in christ.

"take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.  but exhort one another every day, as long as it is called today, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.  for we have come to share in christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.  as it is said, today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." - hebrews 3:15

"i have fought the good fight, i have finished the race, i have kept the faith" -2 timothy 4:7

"therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." -hebrews 12:1-2

"here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in jesus." -revelation 14:12

"and you will  be hated by all for my name's sake.  but the one who endures to the end will be saved." -mark 13:13