“The saint's crown stands at the goal; he who
comes to the end of the race wins it.
The persistence of
the enemy requires perseverance. The devil never retreats or declares a truce.
If an enemy repeatedly assaults a city and those within cease to resist, you
know who will win. The prophet who was sent to Bethel did his errand well and
withstood Jeroboam's temptation. But on his way home he was drawn aside by the
old prophet and at last slain by a lion 1Kings 13. Thus many flee from one
temptation, only to be vanquished by another. Many precious servants of God,
not making such vigorous resistance in their last days as in their first, have
fallen miserably, as we see in Solomon, Asa, and others.
You know it is
hard to hold anything in your hand for very long and not have your fingers grow
numb. This is also true in a spiritual sense. Therefore, we are frequently
admonished to hold fast the profession of our faith. And surely when we see our
enemy always keeping watch to catch us when we fall, we will be challenged to
strengthen our grip, not loosen it.
Our eternal reward
is contingent upon perseverance. The saint's crown stands at the goal; he who
comes to the end of the race wins it. "To him that overcomes will I
grant," says Christ Revelation 3:21. In his letter to Timothy, Paul said,
"I have fought a good fight... henceforth there is laid up for me a crown
of righteousness. Why "henceforth"? Was it not laid up before? Yes,
but having persevered and come within sight of home, ready to die, he now takes
surer hold of the promise. Indeed, in this sense, a gracious soul is nearer his
salvation after every victory than he was before, because he approaches nearer
to the end of his race, which is the time for receiving his promised salvation Romans
8:10. Then, and not until then, the garland will be placed on his head.
Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete
Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell.
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