Editorial – Be Faithful to the End

“And he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give…” (Rev. 2:26).

We know that’s true. As a first principle, we know that salvation is conditional. We know that we are not guaranteed salvation simply by accepting Jesus as Lord. We can fall from grace. The Bible verses supporting this teaching are numerous and clear.

The problem is we can know the point and not act on it.

A natural trap

In a way, our natural development leads us into thinking that we get better as we get older, that things come easier as the years pass.

From childhood, we perceived that older people could do things better. We struggled to walk and talk, trying to imitate them. We spent years in school being taught by older people. During our teen years, we were continually reminded that our car insurance rates would go down when we got older be­cause we would have fewer accidents. We were assured that, with age, our behavior would become more controlled, our manners would improve. And gradually that happened.

Our first child had to teach us how to be a parent and we learned to cope with life and not be thrown by every problem. Sick children do get well, sleepless nights do come to an end.

Our working lives may have been unstable for awhile but we finally settled into an occupation and grew in confidence and competence. The initial financial struggles gradually eased as income went up and some expenses leveled off.

Life has a way of lulling us into thinking that older means better.

The spiritual problem

That may be the case in our spiritual lives. In fact, it should be true. As the years pass, we should deepen in faith and appreciation of the love of God and develop a responsive love for Him and our Lord. We should increase in thankfulness as we experience the divine grace during our lives. Habits of integrity, control of speech and generosity should become an integral part of our characters. Forgiveness should become easier to extend as we have more experience with our own failures. Tempestuous tempers should be tamed as we see the inordinate trouble they cause. Participation in ecclesial functions should become part of our pattern of life, leaving no place for worldly functions. Our circle of close friends should become increasingly those of the brotherhood, minimizing our involvement with the world.

We should get better as we get older. But we may not.

There are some problems that get worse with age, not better.

The Ephesian ecclesia experienced it, “Thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen…” (Rev. 2:4,5). They were steadfast in the doctrine but the years had dulled their enthusiasm to the point that their eternal life was at stake. They were in danger of falling from grace.

Boredom with the truth

Failing enthusiasm is clearly a real danger. The point is made in Hebrews that we are the house of Christ “if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end” (Heb. 3:6). Scripture insights that used to thrill us have now become old information. We attend classes, hear talks and read articles and know all the material that is presented. We do the daily readings, covering the same ground for the 40th time and it all seems so familiar.

Hebrews 6 goes on to exhort, “God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love…in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end” (Heb. 6:10-11). The first few times we hosted brethren and sisters it was exciting. The first time we catered ecclesial refreshments or a meal for a study day it was a welcome challenge. Even visiting the sick and elderly was an adventure and we were warmed by the compliments received for showing love in practice. But as the years roll by, the repeated service becomes a burden; people take us for granted; they impose on our hospitality when we have other things to do; they assume we will visit the sick, and often our good works are not acknowledged. Showing the same diligence to the end is not easy; it is hard.

Other problems

The narratives of scripture reveal other problems as well. Joash did fine as long as Jehoiada was alive. The high priest raised the child king from a youth and was a pillar of spiritual strength. But when the support person was removed, Joash was enticed to idolatry and violence by the wicked counselors who captured his attention (II Chr. 24:2,17-­21).

Anyone is susceptible to the same problem. Our parents will normally pass off the scene, a spiritually strong friend may move from the area, our partner may die and we suddenly find that we have to stand on our own feet in the way of righteousness. If we have been overly reliant on the prodding of another or have fed off their enthusiasm, we can suddenly find ourselves in spiritual trouble.

The same thing can happen if we have been holding up high standards for the sake of our children. Once they are grown and gone, we can find our incentive gone and we slip into negligent patterns of behavior and erratic ecclesial involvement.

Asa illustrates a different type of attitude. With age came a prideful reliance on his own schemes and an arrogant intolerance of criticism (II Chr. 16:7-10). He had proven his diligence and wisdom in running the nation, why should he put up with rebuke from younger people?

The narrative in II Chr. 16 carefully brings together three failures in Asa’ s later years. Older does not always mean better is clearly the message that is coming across.

An earlier verse, however, provides a message of hope: “the heart of Asa was perfect all his days” (II Chr. 15:17).

The sins of older age can be forgiven just like those of youth, if we confess them and maintain our basic devotion to God and faith in His redemption through the Son.

Forgiveness is possible, but so is failure.

We can be a blessing

Let us remain faithful to the end. When we do, we become a living exhortation to those around us. A consistent, faithful attitude can encourage others. For those who have weathered the trials of life, an unwavering anticipation of the kingdom can bolster the determination of the fainthearted.

Let us continue to be involved in ecclesial life to the full extent of our ability, carrying on in spite of monotony, pain or infirmity. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (II Cor. 4:17).