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Many people, I fear, are not aware what a vast store of comfortable truths the Bible contains for the peculiar benefit of real Christians. There is a spiritual treasure-house in the Word which many never enter, and some eyes have not so much as seen. There you will find many a golden verity besides the old first principles of repentance, faith, and conversion. There you will see in glorious array the everlasting election of the saints in Christ—the special love wherewith God loved them before the foundation of the world—their mystical union with their risen Head in heaven, and His consequent sympathy with them—their interest in the perpetual intercession of Jesus, their High Priest—their liberty of daily communion with the Father and the Son, their full assurance of hope—their perseverance to the end. These are some of the precious things laid up in Scripture for those who love God. These are truths which some neglect from ignorance. Like the Spaniards in the days when they possessed California, they know not the rich mines beneath their feet, the mines from which the Americans have extracted such untold wealth. These are truths which some neglect from false humility. They look at them afar off with fear and trembling—but dare not touch them. But these are truths which God has given for our learning, and which we are bound to study. It is impossible to neglect them without inflicting injury upon ourselves.

It is to one special truth in the list of a believer's privileges that I now desire to direct attention. That truth is the doctrine of perseverance—the doctrine that true Christians shall never perish or be cast away. It is a truth which the natural heart has bitterly opposed in every age. It is a truth which for many reasons deserves particular attention at the present time. Above all, it is a truth with which the happiness of all God's children is most closely connected.
Thus the introduction to the "Article of the Month" within which the well known Bishop, J.C. Ryle expounds upon 4 truths concerning the doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints. It is true, of course, that the indispensable complementary truth of God's Preservation of the Saints is what makes the saints' perseverance possible at all. Thus, all true Christians will infallibly persevere in the faith. Yet, it is absolutely necessary that all who profess to be united to Christ by faith that they strive to persevere until the end. Sinners are saved by Christ, through faith alone... but not with a faith that is alone.

I thought that this would be a very appropriate subject to begin a new year. While the world makes New Year "resolutions", let those who name the name of Christ resolve to follow Him in faithfulness, loving obedience and unblemished holiness.

You can read this article here: Perseverance by J.C. Ryle

And, for those who desire to read it at some later time, it can always be found on the Main Highway Website in the Article of the Month section.

In His service and grace,

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simul iustus et peccator

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