Perseverance

  • Rejoice in Hope

    1 Peter 1:6–7

    Christian joy neither stoically denies the hardships of life nor pretends that we are happy when we are deeply sad. While we live in this fallen world, grief and joy exist together. We grieve because life is hard and because ...Read More

  • Righteous Suffering

    1 Peter 2:18–20

    Though the broad teaching of Scripture sets the trajectory for the abolition of slavery, Peter’s concern is not to comment on the morality of this practice but rather to show us how we may live honorably as servants of ...Read More

  • Sharing in Christ

    Hebrews 3:14–15

    A majority of Americans claim to be born again Christians. The sin in our country makes it hard to take these claims seriously. Perhaps many think they are Christians because they once confessed Christ in the past. Scripture commands us ...Read More

  • Standing Firm in the Lord

    Philippians 4:1

    Reformed theology has always taught that God works through means, using secondary agents to keep us in the narrow way of Christ. We are familiar with His use of the preached Word of God and the sacraments to accomplish such ...Read More

  • Striving Toward God’s Rest

    Hebrews 4:11

    It is easy to trust God when everything is going our way. Difficult times and difficult people make it harder to maintain this same trust. God brings trials into our lives to wean us from trust in ourselves and make ...Read More

  • The Carnal Christian

    1 Corinthians 3:1–4

    Being conformed to the image of Christ does not happen quickly. There is no secret formula for victory over the flesh or a second blessing that creates instant maturity. One of the most important means for growing to maturity is ...Read More

  • The Carnal Christian

    1 Corinthians 3:1-4

    We must always be clear that our good works can never make us righteous before God. Yet we must be equally clear that justifying faith immediately and inevitably evidences itself through good works such as our confession of faith and ...Read More

  • The Crown of Life

    James 1:12

    What are the trials in your life? Are you currently facing some sort of persecution for your faith in Christ? Do you find yourself suffering from an illness? Is a lack of money causing you to doubt, or is the ...Read More

  • The Duration of Our Charge

    1 Timothy 6:13-14

    Christianity is a lifelong surrender to Christ. There is no such thing as “retirement” in the kingdom of God, and, therefore, if we are truly in Christ, we will never abandon our callings as members of the one body nor ...Read More

  • The Former Days

    Hebrews 10:32–33

    Are you struggling because you do not feel any of the joy or assurance that we should have as believers? If so, look back on your conversion or other moments in your life when you have felt particularly close to ...Read More

  • The Gift of Perseverance

    Ephesians 1:13-14

    We know that the Holy Spirit will work within us to keep us in Christ; thus, we respond to this good news in two ways. First, we are never complacent in our pursuit of holiness, for our following of Jesus ...Read More

  • The God Who Finishes What He Starts

    Philippians 1:6

    Perseverance of the saints and the doctrine of unconditional election go hand in hand. The comfort we find in the security we possess in Christ is also an inherent part of the biblical view of God’s sovereign, electing grace ...Read More

  • The Work of God Through Us

    Philippians 2:12–13

    Augustine says that “[we] are to work with fear and trembling so that [we] will not, by attributing the good working to [ourselves], be elated by the good works as if they were [our] own” (ACCNT 8, p. 245). Even ...Read More

  • Treated As Sons

    Hebrews 12:7

    Good earthly fathers always love their children even though they may become displeased with them at times. So too does God always love His elect though we may sometimes displease Him. Look at your life, and see if your job ...Read More

  • Trusting in Adversity

    Genesis 22:1-19

    Have you ever faced a situation when you knew that obedience to God would bring negative consequences? What did you choose? What happened? How would you encourage someone facing a similar situation? True faith can stand during times of testing ...Read More