COV LIFE BLOG

Jude 20-25 – A Real Christian Will Persevere Until The End

To be saved is to be preserved in the faith to the end. “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matt 24:13). Not that perseverance is an accident in Christianity, or a thing performed by human industry; they that are saved “are kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation” (1 Peter 1:3-6).

But perseverance is absolutely necessary to the complete saving of the soul, because he that falleth short of the state that they that are saved are possessed of, as saved, cannot arrive to that saved state. He that goeth to sea with a purpose to arrive at Spain, cannot arrive there if he be drowned by the way; wherefore perseverance is absolutely necessary to the saving of the soul, and therefore it is included in the complete saving of us—”Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end” (Isa 45:17). Perseverance is here made absolutely necessary to the complete saving of the soul.

But, as I said, this part of salvation dependeth not upon human power, but upon him that hath begun a good work in us (Phil 1:6). This part, therefore, of our salvation is great, and calleth for no less than the power of God for our help to perform it.

Christians, were you awake, here would be matter of wonder to you, to see a man assaulted with all the power of hell, and yet to come off a conqueror! Is it not a wonder to see a poor creature, who in himself is weaker than the moth, to stand against and overcome all devils, all the world, all his lusts and corruptions? (Job 4:19). Or if he fall, is it not a wonder to see him, when devils and guilt are upon him, to rise again, stand upon his feet again, walk with God again, and persevere after all this in the faith and holiness of the gospel? He that knows himself, wonders; he that knows temptation, wonders; he that knows what falls and guilt mean, wonders; indeed, perseverance is a wonderful thing, and is managed by the power of God; for he only “is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24).

John Bunyan

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SCRIPTURES FOR THIS SUNDAY
Read Jude 20-25. Notice how verses 21-22 speak to the need of our keeping ourselves in the faith, and yet the encouragement in verses 24-25 that God is the one who keeps you. How do verses 24-25 help to instruct you in your fears and doubts about your faith and also in your ability to persevere amidst temptation?

SONG FOR THIS WEEK
He Will Hold Me Fast by Matt Merker