Phil. 3:13-14 'Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Perseverance is the badge of true saints. The Christian life is not a beginning only in the ways of God, but also a continuance in the same as long as life lasts. It is with a Christian as it was with the great Napoleon: he said, "Conquest has made me what I am, and conquest must maintain me". So, under God, dear brother in the Lord, conquest has made you what you are, and conquest must sustain you. Your motto must be, "Excelsior" (Latin: higher). He only is a true conqueror, and shall be crowned at the last, who continueth till war's trumpet is blown no more [Rev. 21:7]. Perseverance is, therefore, the target of all our spiritual enemies. The world does not object to your being a Christian for a time, if she can but tempt you to cease your pilgrimage, and settle down to buy and sell with her in Vanity Fair [Ecclesiastes 5:10].
The flesh will seek to ensnare you, and to prevent your pressing on to glory. "It is weary work being a pilgrim; come, give it up. Am I always to be mortified? Am I never to be indulged? Give me at least a furlough from this constant warfare." Satan will make many a fierce attack on your perseverance; it will be the mark for all his arrows [Eph. 6:16]. He will strive to hinder you in service: he will insinuate that you are doing no good; and that you want rest. He will endeavour to make you weary of suffering [1Peter 4:1], he will whisper, "Curse God, and die." Or he will attack your steadfastness: "What is the good of being so zealous? Be quiet like the rest; sleep as do others [1Thes. 5:6], and let your lamp go out as the other virgins do" [Matt. 25:8]. Or he will assail your doctrinal sentiments: "Why do you hold to these denominational creeds? Sensible men are getting more liberal; they are removing the old landmarks: fall in with the times" [Gal. 1:8-9].
Wear your shield, Christian, therefore, close upon your armour, and cry mightily unto God, that by His Spirit you may endure to the end [Jude 24-25]. Spurgeon
Hebrews 10:38 'Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him'
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As Evil Reigns In The End-of-This-Age, What Should Believers Do? "Comfort One Another With These Words..." - Hamilton Smith 2- 15-12
As Evil Reigns In The End-Of-This-Age, What Should A Believer Do? Be Not Hardened Through The Deceitfulness Of Sin - Bunyan 1-7-1
As Evil Reigns In The End-Of-This-Age, What Should A Believer Do? Pray Without Ceasing - Thomas Watson 10-31-11
As Evil Reigns In The End-Of-This-Age, What Should A Believer Do? "Secret Prayer" - Thomas Brooks 10-2-11
As Evil Reigns In The End-Of-This-Age, What Should A Believer Do? Glorify The Son Jesus Christ - A. C. Gaebelein 9-10-11
As Evil Reigns In The End-Of-This-Age, What Should An Unbeliever Do? "Believe Before It Is Too Late" - Ironside 10-4-11
Perseverance is the badge of true saints. The Christian life is not a beginning only in the ways of God, but also a continuance in the same as long as life lasts. It is with a Christian as it was with the great Napoleon: he said, "Conquest has made me what I am, and conquest must maintain me". So, under God, dear brother in the Lord, conquest has made you what you are, and conquest must sustain you. Your motto must be, "Excelsior" (Latin: higher). He only is a true conqueror, and shall be crowned at the last, who continueth till war's trumpet is blown no more [Rev. 21:7]. Perseverance is, therefore, the target of all our spiritual enemies. The world does not object to your being a Christian for a time, if she can but tempt you to cease your pilgrimage, and settle down to buy and sell with her in Vanity Fair [Ecclesiastes 5:10].
The flesh will seek to ensnare you, and to prevent your pressing on to glory. "It is weary work being a pilgrim; come, give it up. Am I always to be mortified? Am I never to be indulged? Give me at least a furlough from this constant warfare." Satan will make many a fierce attack on your perseverance; it will be the mark for all his arrows [Eph. 6:16]. He will strive to hinder you in service: he will insinuate that you are doing no good; and that you want rest. He will endeavour to make you weary of suffering [1Peter 4:1], he will whisper, "Curse God, and die." Or he will attack your steadfastness: "What is the good of being so zealous? Be quiet like the rest; sleep as do others [1Thes. 5:6], and let your lamp go out as the other virgins do" [Matt. 25:8]. Or he will assail your doctrinal sentiments: "Why do you hold to these denominational creeds? Sensible men are getting more liberal; they are removing the old landmarks: fall in with the times" [Gal. 1:8-9].
Wear your shield, Christian, therefore, close upon your armour, and cry mightily unto God, that by His Spirit you may endure to the end [Jude 24-25]. Spurgeon
Hebrews 10:38 'Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him'
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1 comment :
thanks, your blog has been a wonderful source of inspiration and encouragement.
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