Main Idea: Believers persevere to the end through the Lord’s gracious work in their lives.

1, 2 Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

The Lord’s Provision for Perseverance

• 3, 4  His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
  • Philippians 2:13
  • Philippians 1:6

The Diligent Pursuit of Perseverance

• 5–7 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
  • Matthew 22:34–40
• 8, 9 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.
  • 2 Corinthians 3:17, 18
• 10, 11 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
  • 1 Peter 1:3–5
  • 2 Peter 3:14, 15a

A Personal Example of Perseverance

• 12–15 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.
  • John 18:15–18, 25–27
  • John 21:15–19

So What?

• Do I see evidence of Christ-enabled perseverance in my life?
  • 2 Corinthians 13:5, 6

Definitions

• Perseverance of the Saints:  All those who are truly “born again” will be kept by God’s power and will persevere as Christians until the end of their lives.
• Sanctification: The continuing work of God in the life of the believer, making him or her actually holy.