Acts 26:22

STEADFASTNESS

‘Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day.’

Acts 26:22

Continuance—steadfastness—what an important question it is! Let us spend a little time in looking at—

I. Its nature.—What sort of continuance do we want? In what directions have we to continue?

(a) A Christian must continue in the faith. In the faith, viewed objectively.

(b) There must be also continuance in practice. We must be ‘doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving our own selves.’

(c) Christian continuance is continuance in prayer. As writes the Apostle: ‘Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving’ (Colossians 4:2).

(d) Christian continuance is continuance in fellowship. In one sense it is sadly true that we are all solitaries, but in another we must never forget that we are members of a society.

II. Its necessity.—But we go on to ask why this continuance is so necessary. The answer is—

(a) It is necessary for sincerity. It is much to begin well, but can you continue? There is no such proof of strength as endurance.

(b) It is necessary for success.

III. How it is to be secured.—But now we come to the all-important question, How is this continuance to be secured? What is its secret? There are two ways of looking at the question—a Divine side and a human side—and neither of them must be forgotten.

(a) The Divine side. (1) The promises of God; (2) the intercession of Christ; and (3) the indwelling of the Holy Ghost secure continuance.

(b) The human side. How are we to continue? The answer is—

(a) By faith. ‘The just shall live by faith’—that is, shall go on living by faith, by faith, by faith—all our journey through.

(b) The secret of continuance is the Presence of the continuing Christ.

(c) Finally, if we would continue we must look forward as well as upwards. Hope as well as faith has her appropriate sphere in Christian continuance. We look for a city which hath foundations

Rev. E. W. Moore.

Illustrations

(1) ‘ “How is it that you get through so much?” said a visitor one day to the great missionary, William Carey. “I do not know,” he answered, “except it is that I keep on doing.” ’

(2) ‘Who has not heard of Bernard Palissy, the Huguenot potter, who made firewood of the chairs and tables and rafters of his house—to the consternation of his wife, who regarded him as a visionary dreamer, while his children were wanting bread, but who at last discovered the great secret of enamel ware, which had been lost for centuries, and which has made his name famous while the world goes round? Continuance will ultimately be rewarded. Witness the lives of missionaries like Moffat, Judson, David Livingstone, Alexander Mackay—who waited long before the fruits of their labour were seen, but whose successors have reaped an abundant harvest.’