Persevere to the End
...but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved. (WCF XVII (1)).
What does this mean? The Desiring God National Conference this year was on Stand (Persevere), a Call for the Endurance of the Saints. The theme used the word persevere interchangeably with the word endurance. The conference was about joyful living in Christ with a hopeful watching for the Kingdom and eternity perfected in Christ. Unfortunately, the twin theme of endurance and perseverance can connote a harsh and joyless gritting of teeth while counting time. These two themes are opposed to each other. The gospel is the former, but I often live in the later.
I was reading devotionally in Andrew Murray's "Abide in Christ" as I prepare for Thursday's study of The Westminster Confession, Chapter 17, Of the Perseverance of the Saints. For Andrew Murray - perseverance means abiding in Christ.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29
Andrew Murray points out that abiding in Christ, persevering to the end is "rest for your soul". It is not enduring in a suffering sense - it is an abiding resting. Come to me, take my yoke, learn from me - and you will find rest for your souls.
As I enter the busy Christmas season (Bible Study preparation, Youth Group hosting, Women in the Church meetings, Fellowships, Small Group, Christmas Caroling, Baking, Decorating, Hosting, Neighborhood gatherings, Church dinners, Christmas Card sending, School Christmas events and of course Christmas shopping and wrapping) the usual goes on (websites maintained, meals served, phone calls and church work, family responsibilities and now a new house to work on) it all seems like enduring and persevering has become "grit my teeth, paste on a smile, and count the hours till it's over". And, oh yeah, pray for strength.
This is not a picture of me abiding and resting in Christ - who has bidden me to "Come - Learn - Rest" As Murray says:
What a blessed rest it is! The fruit, the foretaste, and the fellowship of God's own rest are found by them who have come to Jesus to abide in Him. It is the peace of God, the great calm of the eternal world, that passes all understanding and that keeps the heart and mind. With this grace secured, we have strength for every duty, courage for every struggle, a blessing in every cross, and the joy of life eternal in death itself. (emphasis mine)
He closes with this prayer - my prayer and I hope your prayer as well:
O my Savior, if ever my heart should doubt or fear again, as if the blessing were too great to expect, or too high to attain let me hear your voice, which alone can create faith and obedience in me: "Abide in Me"; "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; you will find rest for your souls." (Abiding in Christ, Andrew Murray; Bethany House, 2003, 1895 - p.17)
May I persevere therein to the end, and certainly, through the Christmas season with this grace secured!
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November 26, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
