Persevere in Faith

Jesus has already won complete, final, and total “victory” for us through His death and resurrection, as He said, “It is finished!” (Joh 19:30; cf. Gen 3:15; Luk 10:18; Joh 12:31; 16:33; Rom 8:37; Eph 1:20–22; Col 2:14–15; Heb 2:14; 10:10–13; 1Co 15:24–27; 54–57; 2Ti 1:10; 1Jn 3:8; 4:4; 5:4; Rev 1:17–18; 12:7–13; 15:2; 20:14; 21:4). He fully defeated and disarmed “the spiritual forces of wickedness [evil] and darkness” (paraphrase, Eph 6:12) at the cross for us and “set us free” from “bondage” and “captivity” to sin, Satan, and death (see Eph 4:8; Joh 8:31–32; Rom 8:2; Gal 4:3). But while Jesus has already done His part, we must also do our part and “persevere” in faith until the end. This is a lengthy chapter, as we must review several topics so you don’t “come short of” (Heb 4:1) your ultimate goal, which is “eternal life”[1] with God and Jesus in heaven.

BE FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH

When you were born again, your sins were forgiven (initial salvation), but understand that you won’t receive your “crown of life” (Jas 1:12; Rev 2:10; cf. 2Ti 4:8; 1Pe 5:4; 1Th 2:19; Rev 3:11) until Jesus awards it to you on “the day of judgment” (final eternal salvation).[2] Scripture, therefore, strongly exhorts you to:

• “Persevere” in faith (Rev 1:9; 2:2–3, 19; 3:10; 13:10; 14:12; Rom 2:7; 5:3; 8:25; 15:4; 2Th 1:4; Luk 8:15; cf. 2Ti 4:7–8; 1Co 9:24–27; Heb 4:1; Jas 1:12; Php 2:12–13; 3:12–14; 2Pe 1:10; Rev 2:4; 3:15–16),
• “Be faithful until death” (Rev 2:10),
• “Hold fast” (see 1Co 15:2; Php 2:16; 1Th 5:21; Tit 1:9; Heb 3:6, 14; 4:14; 10:23; Rev 2:13, 25; 3:11; cf. Deu 11:22; Jos 22:5; Pro 4:4; Isa 56:4),
• “Remain steadfast” (see Jas 1:12 ESV; cf. 1Co 15:58; Col 1:11, 23; 1Th 1:3; 2Th 3:5; Heb 6:19; 2Pe 3:17),
• “Stand firm” (see 1Co 16:13; 2Co 1:24; Gal 5:1; Eph 6:11–14; Php 1:27; 4:1; 1Th 3:8; 2Th 2:15; 1Pe 5:12; cf. Eph 4:14; Php 1:6; 4:13; Col 1:23; Heb 11:1–40; 12:2; Jud 3; 1Pe 1:7; Psa 62:2),
• “Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” (Jud 3),
• “Continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast” (Col 1:23),
• “Press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Php 3:12–14),
• “Lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb 12:1),
• “Do not grow weary” (Heb 12:3), and
• “Endure to the end” (see Mat 10:22; 24:13; Mar 13:13; cf. 1Co 4:11–13; 9:12; 10:13; 13:7; 2Co 6:4; Heb 10:32; 12:1–2, 7; Jas 1:3; 5:11; Luk 21:19; Rev 2:3; 12:11; Php 3:8; 2Th 1:4; 2Ti 2:10–12; 3:11; 4:5; 1Pe 2:20).

I hope you see the emphasis Scripture places on “enduring” and “persevering” in faith from the sheer number of verses cited above.

YOU CAN FALL AWAY FROM THE FAITH

As with other areas of the Gospel, there are quite a few false teachings on this subject (1Jn 4:6; 1Ti 4:1).[3] In particular, don’t fall victim to the “Once Saved, Always Saved (OSAS)” false teaching (a.k.a., “Perseverance of the Saints”), which is not in agreement with Scripture. For while it is written that He will never leave you (“I [Jesus] will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you” [Heb 13:5]), it is also written that even after being “born again,” you can still:[4]

• “Fall away” from the faith (see Mat 13:21; 24:10; 26:31, 33; Mar 4:17; 14:27, 29; Luk 8:13; 1Ti 4:1; Heb 3:12; 6:6; 2Pe 3:17),[5]
• “Drift away from it [the faith]” (Heb 2:1),
• “Wither away” (see Mat 13:5–6; Luk 8:6),
• “Turn away” (2Pe 2:20–22; 2Ti 4:4),
• “Shrink back” (look back or turn back; Heb 10:36–39; cf. Luk 9:62; 17:32),
• Go “apostate” (backslide; see 2Th 2:3; cf. Pro 14:14; Jer 49:4),
• Quit the faith (Joh 6:66; 2Ti 4:3; 1Jn 2:19),
• “Stumble” and fall (Mat 5:29–30; 18:6, 8–9; Mar 9:43–48; Luk 17:2; Joh 6:61; 11:9–10; Rom 14:21; 1Co 8:13; Jas 2:10; 3:2; 1Pe 2:8; 2Pe 1:10),[6]
• “Turn aside to myths” (2Ti 4:4),
• “Desert Christ … for a different Gospel” (paraphrase; Gal 1:6–9),
• “Turn back again” in trying to be justified by the Mosaic Law, thereby “severing yourself from Christ” and “falling from grace” (see Gal 4:9; 5:4; cf. Gal 3:1–3; Tit 1:14),[7]
• “Leave your first love,” which is Christ, the Gospel, and truth (see Rev 2:4),
• Become “lukewarm” (Rev 3:16),
• “Fall from grace” (see Gal 5:4),
• “Grow weary and lose heart” (Heb 12:3–11)—you become discouraged and give up due to either persecution or from striving against sin in your behavior, as the pull of the natural man inside you is still mightily strong and continually “wages war” against your new born-again spirit (see Rom 7:14–25; cf. Gal 5:17; Mat 26:41; Rom 8:6–6, 13; 2Co 4:16; 1Pe 2:11),[8]^{, [9]}
• “Disqualify” yourself by continuing to partake in sinful actions and behaviors (see 1Co 9:24–27; cf. 2Pe 3:14; Rev 16:15),[10] and
• Return to the ways and things “of this world,”[11] because you value them more than following Christ (Mat 13:7, 22; 19:16–24; Mar 4:7, 18; Luk 8:7, 14; 17:32; 18:24–30; cf. Mat 6:19–21, 24; 10:38; 16:24; Mar 8:34; 10:21; Luk 9:23–27; 14:27; Act 14:22; Php 3:19; Heb 11:24–26; 1Ti 6:10; 2Ti 4:10; 1Jn 2:16; Gen 19:17, 26).[12]^{, [13], [14]}

MAKE OUR CALLING AND ELECTION SURE

And while it is my responsibility to completely and accurately “preach [present and teach] the word” to you (2Ti 4:2; cf. Jas 3:1; 2Ti 2:15) so you do not “die in the wilderness” (Num 26:65; cf. Num 13:1–14:38; Heb 3:7–19; 10:38; 1Co 10:5; Rom 1:17) and so you are not “destroyed [lost] for lack of knowledge,”[15] it is your responsibility to ensure your own salvation and to make sure that you are indeed in (and remain in) “the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” (Jud 3; cf. Luk 18:8; Col 1:23). We are strongly and repeatedly told not to take our salvation lightly or for granted:

• “Make your calling and election sure” (2Pe 1:10 KJV).
• “Be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you” (2Pe 1:10; cf. Heb 4:11).
• “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Php 2:12–13).
• “Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it [heaven, eternal life]” (Heb 4:1).
• Not be “foolish” (careless) in our preparation to meet the Lord (Mat 25:1–13).
• “Be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,” that is, when you meet Christ, which happens either at our death or His return, whichever comes first (2Pe 3:14; cf. Eph 1:4; 5:27; Col 1:22; Act 24:16; 1Co 1:8; Php 1:10; 2:15; Heb 4:11; 1Th 5:23; 2Pe 1:10; Jud 24; Rev 14:5).
• “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Php 3:12–14).
• Make sure you don’t “disqualify” yourself by your own actions and behavior (see 1Co 9:24–27; cf. 2Pe 3:14; Rev 16:15).
• “But many who are first will be last; and the last, first” (Mat 19:30; cf. Mat 8:10–12).[16]
• “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!” (2Co 13:5).

While those verses cover several aspects, the central theme is that we must do our utmost to be serious, attentive, and determined to ensure that we are in (and remain in) the faith, stay on the path to eternal salvation, and don’t “come short of” our goal, which is “eternal life” in heaven.

TEST YOURSELF; EXAMINE YOURSELF!

In particular, note that we are instructed to “test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?” (2Co 13:5). This self-examination should be ongoing (constant) and rigorous (thorough), and it encompasses a number of aspects:[17]

• Is our behavior (thoughts, motives, words, deeds, actions) in line with the standards set out in Scripture (Mat 5:1–7:27; etc.), or are we “disqualifying” ourselves by partaking in wrong behavior (see 1Co 9:27)?[18]
• Are we continuing to “mature” as a Christian and “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2Pe 3:18; cf. Col 1:9–12; Heb 6:1; Php 3:12–14)?[19]
• Are we still fervent in our faith, or have we “left our first love” and become “lukewarm” (see Rev 2:4; 3:16)?
• Are we living in “obedience” to all of the “commandments” of Christ and the instructions of His apostles or just the ones we happen to like and agree with (Joh 14:15, 21–24; 1Jn 2:3–5; 5:2–3)?[20]
• Are we conducting ourselves at all times and in all situations as “ambassadors for Christ” (see 2Co 5:20; cf. Php 1:27; Eph 6:20) with civility, humility, honor, honesty, integrity, gentleness, restraint, and truth?
• Do we have “a clean heart,” being grateful and thankful to God for all that He has done for and in us (see Psa 51:10; 69:30; 95:2; 147:7; Act 16:25; Rom 15:11; Col 3:15–16; Heb 13:15; Jas 5:13; Rev 19:5)?
• Is our language befitting someone who calls on the name of the Lord and His Holy Son, Jesus Christ, or is our language filthy and vulgar still?[21]
• Are we still “abounding in the work of the Lord,” or have we become idle professors of faith (1Co 15:58; Gal 6:9)?[22]
• Are we still reading, studying, and meditating on God’s Word each day (Act 17:11; Mat 4:4; Psa 1:2)?[23]
• Are we still spending quality time with God each day in prayer (Luk 22:44; Act 12:5; 1Th 5:17; Rom 12:12)?[24]
• Are we “standing firm in our faith” (see 1Co 16:13; Eph 6:11–14; Php 4:1; 1Th 3:8; 2Th 2:15; 1Pe 5:12)?[25]
• Are we still in the true “faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” (Jud 3) in NT Scripture, or have we been “tricked” or “deceived” into following “deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons” (1Ti 4:1) (i.e., the false teachings and “fake gospels” [paraphrase] of men, committees, and institutions) and thereby at risk of having our “crown of life” “taken from us” (i.e., stolen)?[26]

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS

Scripture further tells us to “calculate [count] the cost” of following Jesus (Luk 14:28; cf. Mat 6:19–24; 8:19–20; 10:37; 16:25; 19:21, 29; Mar 8:35; 10:21; Luk 5:28; 9:24; 12:33; 14:25–27, 33; 17:33; Joh 12:25; Act 21:13; Php 3:8; Heb 10:34; 2Ti 3:12) and says that we must “deny himself [ourselves], and take up his [our] cross” each day and follow Him (Mat 16:24–26; Mar 8:34–37; Luk 9:23–25; cf. Mat 5:10–12; 10:22, 38; 24:9; Mar 13:13; Luk 6:22; 14:27; 21:17; Joh 12:25–26; 15:19–21; 17:14; Act 5:41; 9:16; 16:23–25; Rom 5:3; 14:7–8; 2Co 4:11; 12:10; Gal 2:20; Php 1:29; 2Ti 3:12; Jas 1:2–4; Heb 10:34; 1Pe 4:13–16).

You must want eternal life with God and Jesus in heaven more than anything in this world, and you must be willing to sacrifice and leave everything behind (see Mat 4:20, 22; 6:19–20, 24; 16:24; 19:16–30; Mar 1:18; 2:14; 8:34; 10:17–31; Luk 5:11, 28; 9:23; 14:33; 18:24–30),[27]^, [28] even your own life (Joh 10:15; 13:37–38; 15:13; 1Jn 3:16; cf. Mat 8:19–20; 10:39; 16:25; Mar 8:35; Luk 9:23–24; 14:26–33; 17:33; Joh 12:25; Act 20:24; 21:13; Rom 14:7–8; Php 3:8; Heb 11:35; Rev 12:11), as and if necessary according to the will of God (Mat 6:10; 26:42; Jas 4:13–15; Rom 14:7–8; cf. Mat 16:24; Luk 22:42; 2Sa 15:25–26; Pro 19:21; Lam 3:37; Act 18:21; Rom 1:10; 15:32; 1Co 4:19; 16:7; Heb 6:3), in order to obtain it. We must run toward God, Jesus, and heaven “with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mar 12:30; cf. Mat 22:37; Jer 29:13; Luk 10:27; 11:9–10; Act 8:37; conversely, see Mat 6:24; 15:8; Mar 7:6; 2Ti 4:10).[29] Nothing can be more important to you!

Furthermore, we must continue to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2Co 5:7; cf. 2Co 4:18; Rom 8:24–25; Gal 2:20; Heb 10:38; 11:1–40), “fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called” (1Ti 6:12), and “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Php 3:14) so that we can say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2Ti 4:7–8). Look directly toward Christ each and every day, no matter how hard, bleak, or difficult things seem to appear (Heb 12:1–2; Php 4:13; Joh 16:33; 19:30; 2Co 12:10; Rom 8:36–39; Psa 23:4). Don’t “fall away” from the faith due to “hardship” or “persecution,”[30] “shrink back to destruction” (Heb 10:36–39), return to the ways and things “of this world,”[31] become “lukewarm” in faith (Rev 3:16), or “[leave] your first love” (Rev 2:4)—which is Jesus and a desire above all else to be obedient to Him and be with Him in heaven.

IT TAKES COURAGE

Additionally, know that the life of a Christian who is walking in “the Way” (Act 9:2; 19:9, 23; 24:14, 22; cf. Joh 14:6) along “the Highway of Holiness” (Isa 35:8; cf. Jer 6:16) in truth and Christ toward eternal life takes:

• “Courage” (see Mat 9:2, 22; 14:27; Mar 6:50; 10:49; 15:43; Joh 16:33; Php 1:14; Act 21:13; 23:11; 27:25; 28:15; 1Co 16:13; 2Co 4:11; 5:6–8; Jos 1:9),
• “Boldness” (Act 4:29–31; 9:28; 14:3; 18:26; 19:8; 2Co 3:12; Eph 3:11–12; 6:19–20; Php 1:20; 1Th 2:2; cf. 2Ti 1:7–14; Rom 1:16–17; Mat 5:14–16; Pro 28:1),
• “Strength” of character (Mar 12:30; Luk 21:36; Eph 6:10–11; cf. Eph 3:16; Php 4:13; 2Ti 2:1–5; Rom 15:1; Col 1:11; 1Co 16:13; Jas 5:8),
• “Confidence” (see Act 2:29; 4:13, 29; 1Ti 3:13; Php 1:6; Eph 3:12; Tit 3:8; Heb 3:6; 4:16; 10:19, 35; 13:6; Phm 8; 1Jn 2:28; 3:21; 4:17; 5:14; 2Co 1:12; 3:4; cf. Joh 5:23; 8:49; 12:26; Rev 21:25–27),
• Personal “discipline” (see 1Co 9:25–27; 11:32; 1Ti 4:7–8; Heb 12:1–13; Col 2:5; 2Ti 1:7), moderation (2Ti 1:7),[32] and “self-control” (see Act 24:25; 1Co 7:5; 9:25; Gal 5:23; Tit 1:8; 2Pe 1:6; cf. 2Ti 3:3),
• “Truth” (Joh 3:21; 4:23–24; Rom 9:1; 2Co 4:2; 6:7; 7:14; 12:6; Eph 4:15, 21–25; 5:9; 6:14; 2Th 2:13; 1Ti 2:7; 2Ti 2:18; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jn 1:6; 3:18; 2Jn 1–4; 3Jn 1– 8; cf. Mat 22:16; Joh 1:14; 14:6; Eph 1:13; 2Ti 2:15; 2Pi 2:2),
• “Wisdom” (Act 6:3, 10, Jas 1:5; 3:13–17; 1Co 1:24, 30; 12:8; Eph 1:17; Col 1:9, 28; 3:16; 4:5; cf. Rom 11:33; Mat 10:16; Pro 16:16; 23:23),
• “Honor” (Mat 15:4; Luk 18:20; Rom 2:7, 10; 12:10; 13:7; Eph 6:2; 1Th 4:4; 1Ti 5:3; 2Ti 2:20–21; 1Pe 2:17; 3:7),
• “Diligence” (Rom 12:8, 11; 2Co 8:22; Eph 4:3; 1Th 5:12; 2Ti 2:15; Heb 4:11; 6:11; 2Pe 1:5, 10, 15; 3:14),
• “Integrity” (Psa 7:8; 15:2; 25:21; 26:1, 11; 41:12; Pro 2:7; 10:9; 11:3; 19:1; 20:7; 28:6),
• “Preparation” (Eph 6:10–17; cf. Pro 6:6; 21:31),[33]
• “Trust in the Lord,”[34] and
• “Endurance”/“perseverance” (see Mat 10:22; 24:13; Mar 13:13; Luk 8:15; 21:19; Rom 2:7; 5:3–4; 8:25; 12:12; 15:4–5; 1Co 4:11–13; 9:12, 24–27; 10:13; 13:7; 15:2; 16:13; 2Co 1:6; 6:4; Eph 6:11–18; Php 3:12–14; 4:1; 1Th 2:14; 2Th 1:4; 2:15; 1Ti 6:11; 2Ti 2:10–12; 3:10–11; 4:3, 5, 7–8; Heb 3:6, 14; 4:1, 14; 10:23, 32, 36; 11:25, 27; 12:1–3, 7; Jas 1:3–4, 12; 5:11; 1Pe 2:20; 2Pe 1:6; Rev 1:9; 2:2–4, 10, 13, 19, 25; 3:10–11, 15–16; 12:11; 13:10; 14:12; cf. Joh 6:66–69; 12:25–26).

Furthermore, understand that you may also have your faith “tested” at times (see Jas 1:2–4, 12; Rom 5:3–5; 8:17–18; 1Pe 1:6–7; 4:12–14; Rev 2:10; 3:10; Heb 11:17–19; cf. Psa 66:10–12; Pro 17:3; Isa 48:10; Jer 9:7; Zec 13:9; Mal 3:3; Heb 2:10) as you face:

• “Trials” (Act 20:19; Jas 1:2–3; 1Pe 1:6–7),
• “Tribulations” (Mat 24:9; Joh 16:33; Act 14:22; Rom 5:3; 8:35; 12:12; 14:7–8; Php 1:21; Eph 3:13; Heb 10:33; Rev 1:9; 2:9–10; 7:14),
• “Afflictions” (see Mat 13:21; Act 20:23; 2Co 1:3–4, 8; 4:17; 6:4; 7:4; 8:2; Php 4:14; Col 1:24; 1Th 3:4–7; 2Th 1:4),
• “Hardship” (see 2Co 6:4; 11:27; 1Th 2:9; 2Th 3:8; 2Ti 2:3, 9; 4:5),
• “Distress,” “peril,” and “famine” (see Rom 8:35; 1Co 7:26; 2Co 6:4; 12:10; Php 1:17; 1Th 3:7; 1Pe 1:6),
• “Persecution” (see Mat 13:20–21; 5:11–12; 24:10; 26:31; Mar 4:16–17; 14:27–29; Luk 8:6, 13; cf. Joh 15:18–20; Act 5:41; 9:16; Luk 14:26–33; 1Co 4:11–13; 2Co 6:4–5; 11:24–27; 2Ti 2:1–5, 8–12; 3:10–12; 4:5; Heb 2:10; 3:12–14; 11:32–40; Php 1:29; Rom 8:17–18, 35–36; 1Th 3:4; 1Pe 2:20; 3:14–16; 4:9; 5:10; Rev 2:10),[35]
• “Violence,” “torture,” and the “sword” (Act 5:26; 7:59; 12:2; 21:35; 24:7; Rom 8:35–36; Heb 11:32–40; Rev 19:21; cf. Rom 14:7–8),
• “Suffering” (see Act 5:41; 9:16; Rom 8:16–18; 1Co 12:26; 2Co 1:5–7; Gal 3:4; Php 1:29; 3:8–11; 4:12; Col 1:24; 1Th 2:2, 14; 3:4; 2Th 1:5–8; Jas 5:13; 1Pe 2:18–21; 3:14–17; 4:1–2, 12–19; 5:9–10; Rev 2:10; cf. Heb 5:8; 13:12; Isa 53:1–12),[36]
• “Mocking,” “hate,” “insults,” “mistreatment,” ridicule, “ill treatment,” and “scorn” (Mat 10:22–25; 24:9; Mar 13:13; Luk 6:22, 26; 21:17; Joh 15:18; Act 2:13; 7:6; 12:1; 14:5; 1Th 2:2; Heb 11:32–40; 1Jn 3:13; cf. Mat 27:29, 31, 41; Luk 18:32; 22:63; 23:11, 36; 2Pe 3:3), and even
• “Discipline” by the Lord (see 1Co 11:32; Heb 12:3–13; Rev 3:19; Joh 15:2; Psa 23:4; 118:18; Pro 3:11; 6:23; 12:1; 13:1, 18; 15:32; 19:20, 27).[37]

Remember it is written that “you will be hated by all because of My [Jesus’] name” (see Mat 10:22; 24:9; Mar 13:13; Luk 21:17; cf. Joh 15:18–20; 16:2; 17:14; Luk 6:22; 2Ti 3:12; 1Jn 3:13; Rev 12:7–17; Pro 29:10, 27) and that “if you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you” (Joh 15:19; cf. 1Jn 3:13)—but we must press forward in our faith despite that.

CAUSES OF FALLING AWAY

There are several reasons why a Christian can “fall away,” “drift away,” or quit (abandon) their faith:

1. Ignorance, Indifference, and Negligence: They don’t take the warnings given in Scripture seriously—that one must “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Php 2:12), “test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!” (2Co 13:5), and “be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you” (2Pe 1:10)—so they fail to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2Pe 3:18; cf. Col 1:9–12; Php 3:12–14) and don’t “press on to maturity” in faith as a Christian (Heb 6:1; cf. Heb 5:11–14; 1Co 14:20; Eph 4:11–16). They often stop reading the Bible, stop praying, stop going to church (Heb 10:25), and so on. I’ve also heard it said that it’s “boring” to read the May I kindly suggest that if you find it boring to read the Bible, then you are not really living in the Spirit. If you are not feeding your new born-again Spirit with the Word of God, it will die.
2. Following False Teachings: They are “tricked” or “deceived” into following “deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons” (1Ti 4:1) (i.e., the false teachings and “fake gospels” [paraphrase] of men, committees, and institutions) or “schemes of Satan” (paraphrase; 2Co 2:11), and thereby have their “crown of life” (Jas 1:12; Rev 2:10; cf. 2Ti 4:8; 1Pe 5:4; Rev 3:11) “taken from them” (i.e., stolen by those who teach and preach wrongly; see Rev 3:11; cf. Hos 4:6; Rom 10:1–2). This results in large measure from item 1 above. You must remain in and stay true to the Gospel as it was “handed down” in NT Scripture (Jud 3).[38]
3. Cares of This World: They let the cares and concerns of this world, along with a continued lustful desire for fame, fortune, power, pride, wealth, and status, reassert themselves as the controlling force in their lives, and they stop pursuing the “things above” (Col 3:1–2; cf. Php 3:19) and once again set their minds on the things “of this world”[39]—that is, they are “thorny soil” (see Mat 13:1–23; Mar 4:1–20; Luk 8:4–15; cf. Heb 6:7–8; 2Ti 4:10; Mat 6:19–21, 24; 1Jn 2:16).
4. The Threat of Persecution: They wish to preserve their own comfort, safety, life, or standing in the community (and their income) instead of “stand[ing] firm in the faith” (1Co 16:13; cf. Eph 6:11–14; Php 4:1; 1Th 3:8; 2Th 2:15; 1Pe 5:12; Psa 62:2; 1Co 4:12; Jas 4:4; 2Ti 2:1–5), so when “persecution,” “trials,” “tribulation,” “suffering,” and “hardship” come their way, they “calculate [count] the cost” of following Christ as too high (Luk 14:25–28; cf. Mat 6:19–24; 8:19–20; 10:37; 16:25; 19:21, 29; Mar 8:35; 10:21; Luk 5:28; 9:24; 12:33; 14:33; 17:33; Joh 12:25; Act 21:13; Php 3:8; Heb 10:34; 2Ti 3:12) and return to the ways “of this world,” obeying men (and their own flesh) instead of God—that is, they are the “rocky soil” (see Mat 13:1–23; Mar 4:1–20; Luk 8:4–15; cf. Rev 2:10; 2Ti 4:10; Heb 10:38; 1Co 16:13).
5. Returning to Sinful Ways: The notion that a born-again Christian no longer sins is false. The life of a Christian is one of continuous repentance (1Jn 1:5–10; 2:1, 28; cf. 1Co 9:26–27; Jas 5:16; Heb 4:16; 7:25) and avoidance of deliberate, repeated, and willful sin.[40]

I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST

I’d like to offer you some encouragement in closing this weighty chapter. Know that you will be able to “stand firm in the faith” (1Co 16:13) and “be faithful until death” (Rev 2:10) not by your own strength, might, or willpower but by “the Spirit of Christ” (Rom 8:9; 1Pe 1:11) who “abides [lives] in you”—the very same Spirit of power that raised Jesus from the dead now lives in you (Rom 8:11; Joh 15:1–10; Gal 2:20; Eph 3:20).[41] If you “trust” in Him, “abide in Him,” and seek Him diligently each day in faith and obedience, He will hold you in His power through His grace and “lovingkindness” (Psa 23:1–6; Lam 3:22–23). If you want to persevere in faith, He will give you His might, His strength, His wisdom, His hope, His guidance, and His power to do just that and to overcome anything you may face, as it is written:

• “I [Jesus] will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you” (Heb 13:5),
• “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Mat 28:20),
• “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
  I fear no evil, for You are with me;
  Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psa 23:4; cf. Mat 4:16; Luk 1:78–79; 2:32; Psa 44:19; 107:10–14; 1Co 15:55–57),
• “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Php 1:6; Rom 8:28–39; Heb 12:2),
• “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Php 4:13),
• “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1Jn 4:4),
• “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us” (Rom 8:37),[42] and
• “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (Joh 16:33).

Lastly, know that even if your faith wavers or is momentarily weak, He remains steadfast (2Ti 2:13; Heb 13:8; cf. 2Sa 22:2–3, 47; Psa 16:8; 18:2, 46; 19:14; 31:3; 55:22; 62:2, 6; 71:3; 91:1–16; Act 2:25). Yes, “anchor” yourself to the Lord Jesus (Heb 6:19; cf. Mat 7:24–27; 21:42; Psa 18:2; 94:22; 118:22; Isa 8:14–15; 28:16; Php 4:13), and you “will not be disappointed” (Rom 9:33; 10:11). Amen.