Oct 17, 2024
Continue to the End
Matthew 24:16; Colossians 2:7; John 15:6
“Theywho are continually surrounded by temptations to apostasy, have need to be continually attended by exhortations to perseverance.' (Matthew Henry) It was on this account that Paul earnestly exhorted the disciples in Lystra and lconium 'to
continue in the faith.' This was an advice which was not easy for them to follow, for
their circumstances were peculiar. They had heathenism all round them, dark, bigoted, and persecuting, and therefore, in continuing to be Christians, they did not only risk their property, position, and dearest friendships, but hazarded their very lives. The stones were yet lying on the ground that had nearly killed Paul, and might next be gathered up by murderous hands to cast at any one of themselves. There is no open persecution meanwhile, but even in these quiet times it is neither an easy thing to come to the faith, nor an easy thing to continue in it in holy simplicity and firmness. Owing to the inherent corruption in us, we are all to a greater or less extent wrongly biased, and all our natural sympathies draw us to sin rather than to righteousness, and to error rather than to truth; and unless we take this deep undercurrent of our nature into account, we may insensibly get upon the rocks and make utter shipwreck of our faith. But besides this general danger common to all, there is a peculiar one forcibly presented in these words of inspiration: 'The time
will come, when they will not endure sound doctrine, and they shall turn away their ears from the truth.' In our own time these words seem getting not a little of startling fulfilment. There is with many a growing intolerance of the revealed and supernatural in every form; nay, as if in fulfilment of John's words, 'He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son,' not a few now speak as if the very acme of scientific progress would be to prove that there is neither Creator nor Redeemer, but that man himself is all in all.”
Continue to the end. Perseverance is not a popular or easy concept, even for Christian believers. Part of my church assignment for next spring is to teach a course on “apologetics,” or defense of the faith and how to navigate an unbelieving world in today’s marketplace. There have been a number of significant books and seminars and podcasts given on this area of Christianity and Scriptural studies. The reality is that although there seems to be a rise of interest in the supernatural or general “spirituality,” there is an increasing rejection of the claims of Jesus Christ in our lives and thoughts. We have a world filled with false religions and abounding in the false claims of science and learning. Any Christian in most any college or university is increasingly laughed out of the academic world and study. Or completely ignored and “gaslighted.” Antichrist, or the spirit of antichrist, is plainly evident in the world. The gospel word for believers is to “continue to the end.” Keep on keeping on!
A Puritan Prayer —
Lord, today you have set before me out of your word a glorious mystery—a righteousness of your Son that I did not know or care about before. I see now my happiness lies there.
No matter what happens to me in the world, and no matter what happens to my name or my worldly possessions, I am forever secure if I have Christ to clothe me. Lord, if righteousness did prevail, then you would be honored more than ever.
We would have the joy of our hearts, we would be delivered from the temptations we encounter, and your saints would not suffer as they do. Amen.” (Jeremiah Burroughs)
(Jeremiah Burroughs, while one of the most distinguished of the English Independents, he was one of the most moderate, acting consistently in accordance with the motto on his study door (in Latin and Greek): "Opinionum varietas et opinantium unitas non sunt ασυστατα" ("Difference of belief and unity of believers are not inconsistent"). In 1646, Burroughs died from complications resulting from a fall from his horse on the way back from the Westminster Assembly. [Wikipedia])