Perseverance (Hastings' Dictionary)

This subject resolves itself | into two branches, viz. (a) the doctrine that God’s | power intervenes to preserve believers in a state of grace to the end, and (δ) the virtue of persever- ance, which is exhibited on the human side in fighting the fight of faith, and running the Chris- tian race for righteousness till death.

(a) As in general, so in regard to this matter, Scripture is practical and hortatory, uttering the language of faith in reference to particular indi- viduals or groups, and looking to their concrete situations. It refrains from putting the general questions which were afterwards suggested to specu- lative theology, and from drawing the universal theoretical conclusions which theology formulated.

Or the doctrine given forth by the Scripture writers extends no further than the immediate practical needs of faith require. In respect to perseverance, believers, according to the NT, are not alone and unaided in their faith and religious life, but obtain God’s effectual support. They are not merely assisted by the works and order of nature and the laws of morality, which God has appointed once for all for their edification and guidance.

There is, besides, the present spiritual wer of God acting in and upon them (Mt 10”*-, n 14, 1Co 3” ete.)

And as often as faith realizes vividly that this power is almighty as well as wise and good, that God and not man rules upon the earth, it gains the firm conviction that God will succeed in His desi in spite of every adverse agency, and that He will not allow His purposes of grace to be frustrated even by the conceivable wilfulness of believers themselves (Jn 10%, Ro 8°-*, Ph 16, 2 ΤΊ 1129).

Thatthelatter remain free is always understood ; God deals with men as with sons—they are treated as moral and responsible (Ph 2153), But the abstract question of the relation of human freedom to unfailing yorerren is neither solved nor proposed. urther, believers even continue to sin, and in them especially all sin is dangerous—in one view increasingly so, as more is ever required of them (Lk 12).

For their good the precise level of attainment, above which there is safety, is hidden in all particular cases, just as one on the edge of a precipice knows the exact line between the posi- tions of safety and rnin only when he begins to fall, or by paying for the knowledge with his life.

In either kind of situation, ignorance, not know- ledge,—here too nearly relat to hurtful curiosity and leading to overweening confidence, —is the stimulus to men to turn their faces in the right way and persevere in it (1 Co 9”, Ph 3%), This divinely appointed arrangement, together with the faith that God will at all hazards bring His pur- ses to pass, and that His absolute power is put orth for the believer’s support, most effectually guarantees perseverance in the latter.

Along with Divine, i.e. the greatest, comfort (see the foregoing references) God administers the helps of warning and wholesome fear (He 6‘ 107. aes), (δ) The virtue of perseverance is rendered in- cumbent by the fact that God works together with men for the restoration of the latter to the ful- ness of Christ’s holiness. They have therefore a lifelong work and duty, and scope for the most strenuous endeavour, in putting on Christ.

The Spirit is the Teacher of the whole truth of Christ, PERSIANS Because and the object aimed at are alike divinely perfect, man is called to an endless advance in respect to his spiritual life and moral and is a Divine Comforter (Jn 1455 1675*-), the source of hel character (2Co 38). The consideration of the great cloud of witnesses who, amid sorest hard- ships, persevered in faith and integrity, should constrain us also to pursue the Christian course without intermission.

Especially should the recol- lection of Christ’s endurance banish the sense of weariness and faintness (He 12"), The inspirin, motives of love and hope come to the support o the sense of duty as bearing on Ἐϑιβογοῖαηςο; We are now the sons of God, greatly beloved by Him, and are designed for the highest things, even complete likeness to Christ.

Both because of our present standing and the hope of what we shall be, we should strive to be pure as Christ was pure (He 12°73, 1 Jn 31:8, Again, what alternative is there to Christian perseverance which would be prefer- able? At best, there is only a return to the position of those who are under the law, #.e. who are in bondage and under a curse (Gal 3. 5). Or if one throws off all restraint and goes headlong into sin, the last state of the man is worse than the first.

He has sinned against light, and is without excuse (He 6**: ete.) The line to be followed with perseverance leads, therefore, from the law to Christ, and from obedi- ence to love. There is a common goal for all Christians, but the means to be used for the attainment of it are peculiar to the several individuals. All have to win Christ, and to grow into His perfect image (Ro 8”, 2 Co 318); all have to seek that love which is the fulfilling of the law (Ro 138: 0 ete.)

, and which is the greatest of the graces, without which, indeed, other attainments are as nothing (1 Co 13).

But for this end each has to run the race specially prescribed for him (He 12), to fight his personal battle against the temptations which are felt to be such (Mk 9%); to be transformed by the re- newing of his mind, so as to prove what is tne good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Ro 127); to attend to his distinctive calling in the world, applying the parton gifts and grace bestowed upon him while acting with others as those who, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another (Ro 12**-), In Sie anes of activity the Christian perseveres to the end.

He will not be weary in well-doin (Gal 6°), having comfort from fighting a go fight, and exulting with hope as he anticipates a complete victory, having the earnest of the Spirit now (2 Co 5°), and the promise of eternal salvation and a crown of life (Rev 2"). G. FERRIES.