Having begun the Christian race, how can I finish well? Can I be assured of God’s continued work in and through me, as I seek to follow and honor him? Or will I peter out, fall spectacularly, or fail in the end? Thankfully, the Bible does promise us that God will continue and complete his saving work in us. Yet, God does use certain means to establish and strengthen us to that end.
The following are some personal, prayerful resolutions a friend of mine made, in order to persevere faithfully in God’s grace:
1) I will store up God’s Word in my heart.
Point to ponder: The Bible is God’s weapon to help us successfully battle sin in our lives.
Question to consider: Have you been struggling in some area of your life lately? How could God’s Word help?
2) I will live a prayerful life.
Point to ponder: Prayer is the way God has prescribed for us to bring our requests to him.
Question to consider: What burden should you take to the Lord right now, and confess your need of him?
3) I will love God, and love others.
Point to ponder: Church is not a human invention. God gave us the body of Christ because he knows we need community.
Question to consider: As I partake of the Lord’s Supper today, am I loving God and his church as I ought to?
4) I will endure in suffering.
Point to ponder: We can know for certain that there will be trials unique to the Christian life, and that God’s grace is sufficient for them.
Question to consider: Have I begun to doubt either the certainty of trials, or of God’s sufficiency?
5) I will examine myself daily.
Point to ponder: The Christian walk is a daily walk — we must be faithful day after day.
Question to consider: How often do you read your Bible? Pray? Engage with other believers? Is it daily?