“Continue in the faith.” — Acts 14:22

Perseverance is the badge of true saints. The Christian life is not a
beginning only in the ways of God, but also a continuance in the same as
long as life lasts. It is with a Christian as it was with the great Napoleon:
he said, “Conquest has made me what I am, and conquest must maintain
me.” So, under God, dear brother in the Lord, conquest has made you what
you are, and conquest must sustain you. Your motto must be, “Excelsior.”
He only is a true conqueror, and shall be crowned at the last, who
continueth till war’s trumpet is blown no more. Perseverance is, therefore,
the target of all our spiritual enemies. The world does not object to your
being a Christian for a time, if she can but tempt you to cease your
pilgrimage, and settle down to buy and sell with her in Vanity Fair. The
flesh will seek to ensnare you, and to prevent your pressing on to glory.
“It is weary work being a pilgrim; come, give it up. Am I always to be
mortified? Am I never to be indulged? Give me at least a furlough from this
constant warfare.” Satan will make many a fierce attack on your
perseverance; it will be the mark for all his arrows. He will strive to hinder
you in service: he will insinuate that you are doing no good; and that you
want rest. He will endeavour to make you weary of suffering, he will
whisper, “Curse God, and die.” Or he will attack your steadfastness:
“What is the good of being so zealous? Be quiet like the rest; sleep as do
others, and let your lamp go out as the other virgins do.” Or he will assail
your doctrinal sentiments: “Why do you hold to these denominational
creeds? Sensible men are getting more liberal; they are removing the old
landmarks: fall in with the times.” Wear your shield, Christian, therefore,
close upon your armour, and cry mightily unto God, that by His Spirit
you may endure to the end.

Charles Spurgeon

Vision News