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Day by day God labors for man's sanctification； and man is to co…operate
with Him； putting forth persevering efforts in the cultivation of right
habits。 He is to add grace to grace； and as he thus works on the plan of
addition； God works for him on the plan of multiplication。 Our Saviour is
always ready to hear and answer the prayer of the contrite heart； and grace
and peace are multiplied to His faithful ones。 Gladly He grants them the
blessings they need in their struggle against the evils that beset them。
There are those who attempt to ascend the ladder of Christian progress； but
as they advance they begin to put their trust in the power of man； and soon
lose sight of Jesus；
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the Author and Finisher of their faith。 The result is failure the loss of
all that has been gained。 Sad indeed is the condition of those who； becoming
weary of the way； allow the enemy of souls to rob them of the Christian
graces that have been developing in their hearts and lives。 〃He that lacketh
these things；〃 declares the apostle； 〃is blind； and cannot see afar off； and
hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins。〃
The apostle Peter had had a long experience in the things of God。 His faith
in God's power to save had strengthened with the years； until he had proved
beyond question that there is no possibility of failure before the one who；
advancing by faith； ascends round by round； ever upward and onward； to the
topmost round of the ladder that reaches even to the portals of heaven。
For many years Peter had been urging upon the believers the necessity of a
constant growth in grace and in a knowledge of the truth； and now； knowing
that soon he would be called to suffer martyrdom for his faith； he once more
drew attention to the precious privileges within the reach of every
believer。 In the full assurance of his faith the aged disciple exhorted his
brethren to steadfastness of purpose in the Christian life。 〃Give
diligence；〃 he pleaded； 〃to make your calling and election sure： for if ye
do these things； ye shall never fall： for so an entrance shall be ministered
unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ。〃 Precious assurance！ Glorious is the hope before the believer
as he advances by faith toward the heights of Christian perfection！
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〃I will not be negligent；〃 the apostle continued； 〃to put you always in
remembrance of these things； though ye know them； and be established in the
present truth。 Yea； I think it meet； as long as I am in this tabernacle； to
stir you up by putting you in remembrance； knowing that shortly I must put
off this my tabernacle； even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me。
Moreover I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease to have these
things always in remembrance。〃
The apostle was well qualified to speak of the purposes of God concerning
the human race； for during the earthly ministry of Christ he had seen and
heard much that pertained to the kingdom of God。 〃We have not followed
cunningly devised fables；〃 he reminded the believers； 〃when we made known
unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ； but were
eyewitnesses of His majesty。 For He received from God the Father honor and
glory； when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory； This is
My beloved Son； in whom I am well pleased。 And this voice which came from
heaven we heard； when we were with Him in the holy mount。〃
Yet convincing as was this evidence of the certainty of the believers' hope；
there was another still more convincing in the witness of prophecy； through
which the faith of all might be confirmed and securely anchored。 〃We have
also；〃 Peter declared； 〃a more sure word of prophecy； whereunto ye do well
that ye take heed； as unto a light that shineth in a dark place； until the
day dawn； and the daystar arise
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in your hearts： knowing this first； that no prophecy of the Scripture is of
any private interpretation。 For the prophecy came not in old time by the
will of man： but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy
Ghost。〃
While exalting the 〃sure word of prophecy〃 as a safe guide in times of
peril； the apostle solemnly warned the church against the torch of false
prophecy； which would be uplifted by 〃false teachers；〃 who would privily
bring in 〃damnable heresies； even denying the Lord。〃 These false teachers；
arising in the church and accounted true by many of their brethren in the
faith； the apostle compared to 〃wells without water； clouds that are carried
with a tempest； to whom the mist of darkness is reserved forever。〃 〃The
latter end is worse with them；〃 he declared； 〃than the beginning。 For it had
been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness； than； after
they have known it； to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them。〃
Looking down through the ages to the close of time； Peter was inspired to
outline conditions that would exist in the world just prior to the second
coming of Christ。 〃There shall come in the last days scoffers；〃 he wrote；
〃walking after their own lusts； and saying； Where is the promise of His
coming？ for since the fathers fell asleep； all things continue as they were
from the beginning of the creation。〃 But 〃when they shall say； Peace and
safety； then sudden destruction cometh upon them。〃 1 Thessalonians 5：3。 Not
all； however； would be ensnared by the enemy's devices。 As the end of all
things earthly should approach； there
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would be faithful ones able to discern the signs of the times。 While a large
number of professing believers would deny their faith by their works； there
would be a remnant who would endure to the end。
Peter kept alive in his heart the hope of Christ's return； and he assured
the church of the certain fulfillment of the Saviour's promise； 〃If I go and
prepare a place for you； I will come again； and receive you unto Myself。〃
John 14：3。 To the tried and faithful ones the coming might seem long
delayed； but the apostle assured them： 〃The Lord is not slack concerning His
promise； as some men count slackness； but is long…suffering to usward； not
willing that any should perish； but that all should come to repentance。 But
the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night； in the which the
heavens shall pass away with a great noise； and the elements shall melt with
fervent heat； the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned
up。
〃Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved； what manner of
persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness； looking for
and hasting unto the coming of the day of God； wherein the heavens being on
fire shall be dissolved； and the elements shall melt with fervent heat？
Nevertheless we； according to His promise； look for new heavens and a new
earth； wherein dwelleth righteousness。
〃Wherefore； beloved； seeing that ye look for such things； be diligent that
ye may be found of Him in peace； without spot； and blameless。 And account
that the long…suffering of our Lor