Chapter 325—Kept From Falling
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you
faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.
Jude 24
.
In these last days, when iniquity shall abound, and the love of many shall
wax cold, God will have a people to glorify His name, and stand as reprovers
of unrighteousness. They are to be a “peculiar people,” who will be true to
the law of God when the world shall seek to make void its precepts; and
when the converting power of God works through His servants, the hosts of
darkness will array themselves in bitter and determined opposition.... There
will be a constant conflict from the time of our determination to serve the
God of heaven, until we are delivered out of this present evil world. There is
no release from this war....
Our work is an aggressive one, and as faithful soldiers of Jesus, we must
bear the blood-stained banner into the very strongholds of the enemy.... If
we will consent to lay down our arms, to lower the blood-stained banner,
to become the captives and servants of Satan, we may be released from the
conflict and the suffering. But this peace will be gained only at the loss of
Christ and heaven. We cannot accept peace on such conditions. Let it be war,
war, to the end of earth’s history, rather than peace through apostasy and sin.
The work of apostasy begins in some secret rebellion of the heart against
the requirements of God’s law. Unholy desires, unlawful ambitions, are
cherished and indulged, and unbelief and darkness separate the soul from
God. If we do not overcome these evils they will overcome us....
The indulgence of spiritual pride, of unholy desires, of evil thoughts, of
anything that separates us from an intimate and sacred association with Jesus,
imperils our souls.... We must “fight the good fight of faith,” if we would
“lay hold on eternal life” (
1 Timothy 6:12
). We are “kept by the power of
God through faith unto salvation” (
1 Peter 1:5
). If the thought of apostasy
is grievous to you, ... then “abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is
good” (
Romans 12:9
); and believe in Him who is “able to keep you from
falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with
exceeding joy.”
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