“Steadfast Unto the End”
63
No possibility of failure for the one who follows this plan
The apostle Peter had had a long experience in the things of God.
His faith in God’s power to save had strengthened with the years, until
he had proved beyond question that there is no possibility of failure
before the one who, advancing by faith, ascends round by round, ever
upward and onward, to the topmost round of the ladder that reaches
even to the portals of heaven.
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Privileges of being believers
For many years Peter had been urging upon the believers the ne-
cessity of a constant growth in grace and in a knowledge of the truth;
and now, knowing that soon he would be called to suffer martyrdom
for his faith, he once more drew attention to the precious privileges
within the reach of every believer. In the full assurance of his faith the
aged disciple exhorted his brethren to steadfastness of purpose in the
Christian life. “Give diligence“, he pleaded, “to make your calling and
election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an
entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting
kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” Precious assurance!
Glorious is the hope before the believer as he advances by faith toward
the heights of Christian perfection!
“I will not be negligent“, the apostle continued, “to put you always
in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be estab-
lished in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this
tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; knowing
that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus
Christ hath shewed me. Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able
after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.“
The apostle was well qualified to speak of the purposes of God
concerning the human race; for during the earthly ministry of Christ
he had seen and heard much that pertained to the kingdom of God.
“We have not followed cunningly devised fables“, he reminded the
believers, “when we made known unto you the power and coming of
our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he
received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such
a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in