MrWonder's Bible Chat

I believe in the perseverance of the saints, but not in the perseverance of the sinners. The Christian life is like riding a bicycle; we must keep on the move or we will fall.

Some persons are like a child on a rocking-horse, always on the move, but making no progress. There are certain others who might politely be called ecclesiastical crabs. I've seen crabs heading towards the shore, but pulling out into the stream; and so I've seen persons professing to be headed towards Christ and the Church, but who were certainly working out into the stream of worldliness and sin. Do not be an ecclesiastical crab.

When the Roman invaders first landed on the shores of Britain they burned their ships, and so removed the possibility of retreat or thought of defeat; and as they marched against the enemy, while their ships were burning, their watchword was, "Victory or death." No wondered they conquered. Like the Romans, do not entertain the thought of defeat or going back, but fully consecrate yourself to Christ, and commit yourself to the Church and an out-and-out Christian life, so shall you burn the ships behind you and be more than conquerors.

Persevere in what you know to be right; that is, ever act on Christian principle. Daniel consulted not worldly policy or expediency, political position or advancement, personal wealth or safety, but only what was right in the sight of God, and from this he swerved not ( Dan 6:10 ).

The Lords's Word enjoins, "Grow in grace." Your daily or weekly growth in grace may not be distinctly noticed, though the monthly or yearly advancement may be very apparent.

We are creatures of habit. Form the habit of reading the Bible ( Acts 17:11-12 ), secret prayer ( Ps 55:17 ), attending the prayer meeting and public services ( Acts 16:13; Heb 10:25 ), and doing good to all ( Col 1:10 ), and ever persevere in these things as the days and years are going by.

Do not think of backsliding. If a person will remember the awful sin of backsliding which God calls "spiritual adultery," he will abhor the thought of ever turning his back on Christ. Do not think of ceasing the heavenly race, or "good warfare," for you have omnipotent power at your command now, and unfading crowns await you.

Many however, are called backsliders who never slid forward. Paul said, "Go on unto perfection" ( Heb 6:1 ). That is, do not remain babes, but go on unto maturity of Christian character. If a babe does not grow, it becomes a dwarf. I fear there are many dwarfs in our churches ( Heb 5:12 ).

Do not allow storms to hinder you, or adverse winds to turn you back, for Jesus directs you, as he did His first disciples, to "Go to the other side." As Christians we are not dependent upon the winds and currents of circumstances; but having Christ in the heart, we have a power within to propel us, and so under every circumstance we may advance.

    Continue as you began, "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." Don't spend your time looking back, much less looking at others. Three boys, entering a field covered with snow, said, "Let us see who can make the straightest track to the other side." One often looked back to see how he was getting along, and made a crooked path; the second boy looked to see if the others made a crooked course that he might criticize them, and so his course was almost as crooked as a rail fence. The third boy steadily fixed his eyes on an object at the other side of the field and marched towards it, looking not backward or to the right or the left. The result was, his course was as straight as a bee-line. If we keep looking back

or spend our time in criticizing others, our courses will be crooked; but if we take as our motto, "Looking unto Jesus," and advance, we will make straight paths and our lives will be exemplary.

    Ever persevere, for God commends it, it shows your faith, sinners persevere, it is the only safe way, the eyes of the world are upon you, it brings great reward, the love of Christ constrains you, the example of Paul and others allure you, there is nothing to go back to, and the great cloud of witnesses on earth and in heaven inspire you with their gaze ( Heb 12:1-2 ).

   Brother Love