Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Receiving the end of faith means receiving its goal and intended outcome, even the salvation of the soul, as a promised inheritance reserved in heaven and kept by God's power through faith to be revealed at Christ's appearing. It belongs to those who love Christ though they have not seen Him and believe though they do not now see Him, who rejoice with glorious joy beyond words even amid grief and heaviness while awaiting that salvation. Their faith, far more precious than perishing gold, must be tried by fire through manifold temptations, refined and strengthened until it is found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. This salvation is the grace foretold by the prophets who searched into the sufferings of Christ and the glory to follow, now reported in the gospel preached by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, into which angels desire to look. Receiving it means receiving Christ Himself by faith into the heart, through a faith that works by love and purifies the soul, taking hold of God's promises, keeping His commandments, and pressing on toward Christian perfection until complete in Him.
Words and Outcome
The word end means goal or outcome, and the goal of faith is the salvation of the soul, received as faith reaches its intended result. Believers receive this outcome as those who love Christ though they have not seen Him and believe in Him though they do not now see Him. They rejoice with deep, glorious, unspeakable joy full of glory even amid grief and heaviness through manifold trials. Tested faith is tried as gold tried by fire, that it may be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
This salvation is the promised inheritance kept for God's people. It is an incorruptible, undefiled, unfading inheritance, begotten again unto a living hope by abundant mercy through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is reserved in heaven for those kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. It is ready to be revealed in the last time at Christ's appearing, which is the very close of this world's history and the closing days of probation and great trial of faith.
Surrounding Context
The promise belongs to those who love Christ though they have never seen Him and who believe in Him though they do not see Him now, holding fast to God's promises and living by faith. Their faith reaches its intended outcome in the salvation of the soul, which is the promised inheritance kept for God's people and revealed at Christ's appearing. That outcome comes to believers whose love and trust hold though He is unseen, and whose faith will lead to salvation when Christ is revealed.
Those believers rejoice with deep, glorious joy beyond words, a joy unspeakable and full of glory, even when for a season they are in heaviness through grief and manifold trials. It is joyful and not doleful or gloomy language, for the joy of the Lord gives strength and vigor to mental and spiritual life, shining Christ's light into the mind and giving correct sight of invisible things. They rejoice in hope while awaiting salvation at Christ's appearing, greatly rejoicing even amid temptation and affliction.
The setting is God's abundant mercy begetting again to a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. That hope looks to an incorruptible, undefiled, unfading inheritance reserved in heaven for those kept by God's power through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In view of Christ's great sacrifice it calls for purifying the soul in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, loving one another with a pure heart fervently as those born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the word of God which lives and abides forever.
Testing and Proving
The Lord tests and proves every soul, and faith, being far more precious than perishing gold, must be tried by fire as silver and gold are purified, so that its worth is made apparent. The goal of faith is the salvation of the soul, and it is reached only after faith has been thus tested. Those who love Christ though they have never seen Him, and who believe in Him though they do not now see Him, rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory even when for a season they are in heaviness through manifold temptation.
Tested faith through manifold temptations and heaviness for a season is refined and strengthened rather than sunk. Its trial, much more precious than perishing gold tried with fire, will be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. This growth in grace brings honor and glory to God at Christ's appearing, as believers who love and trust the unseen Christ already rejoice with deep joy while awaiting that salvation.
No one gains the crown of life in the kingdom of glory without passing through severe conflicts and trials, for everyone who wins the race for the immortal crown strives lawfully. This salvation is the hope toward which tested faith is being perfected, to be fully revealed at Christ's appearing.
Prophets, Gospel, and Angels
The salvation of the soul received as the outcome of faith in Christ is bound up with the grace foretold by the prophets. Those prophets prophesied of the grace to come after inquiring and searching diligently into the time and meaning of what the Spirit of Christ in them was signifying when testifying beforehand of the sufferings of Christ and the glory that would follow.
These are the things now reported through the preaching of the gospel by the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven. This salvation is the redemption of the human race and the glory of the Prince of life, a mysterious and wonderful theme with depths that even the mightiest human powers cannot reach. Into these things the angels desire to look.
The prophets were inspired by Jesus Christ to look down from age to age and century to century and see every trial coming upon human beings. It was revealed to them that they were ministering these things not for themselves but for present believers. This generation has seen the fulfillment of prophecy especially clearly. Because Christ died and lives again, having rent the tomb, believers have life and joy in Him and victory over the temptations and deceptive wiles of the evil one. In place of sin the righteousness of Christ is imputed through laying hold on the merits of the blood of the crucified and risen and exalted Saviour, so there is no excuse to continue in sin and disobedience, since sin is the transgression of the law, during the probation granted to come back to allegiance to God.
How Salvation Received
Receiving the end of faith is receiving Jesus Christ Himself by faith into the heart, where He abides, through a faith that works by love and purifies the soul. It is received by taking the assurance God has given in His Word and planting the feet upon His promises rather than waiting for dreams or wonderful feelings, giving living confidence in the heavenly Father's love. That trust means walking by faith beyond what can be seen, loving God by keeping all His commandments, doing His will in order to know the doctrine, following Christ in the light and not in darkness, and abiding in Him with His words abiding within.
Receiving this salvation means receiving Christ and thereby partaking of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust, and not lifting the soul unto vanity. It is maintained only by daily obedience to all the commandments of God, bringing the law of heaven into everyday experience. This is practiced in constant spiritual warfare while in this world of sin, with watchfulness and prayer so that words and actions express its meaning.
Receiving the end of faith, the salvation of souls, requires reaching the standard of Christian perfection. The source of strength for this is the sacrifice of Christ, by which every provision has been made for believers to receive all things that pertain to life and godliness. God calls believers to reach the highest standard of glory and virtue, and the perfection of Christ's character makes it possible to gain that perfection of character. Those connected with God's service must be sanctified in soul, body, and spirit, learning meekness and lowliness from Christ and knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ, so as to be presented as a church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.
It requires constantly exercising faith, because this world is an educating school to prepare to graduate to the higher school above, and eternal destiny is decided by personal course of action. It means forming in this life such character as to be welcomed into the mansions Christ has gone to prepare, rightly understanding the claims of God and applying great truths to little things, since little things constitute the discipline of life for training the soul and developing character for the courts above. The grace of Christ works in and with every child of God who presses from light to greater light and from strength to greater strength until able to say, I am more than conqueror through Him that loved me and gave Himself for me, complete in Him, not having my own righteousness but the righteousness which is by faith in Jesus Christ.
This salvation of the soul as the end of faith is among the extensive privileges provided in coming into close relationship with Christ. It belongs with being delivered out of the hand of enemies to serve God without fear in holiness and righteousness all the days of life. It belongs also with being delivered from the devices of evil men and evil angels while seeking to break the bonds of sin and Satan by looking to Jesus as the author and finisher of faith. The believer who receives this bears in life and character the testimony that God loves the human agent who obeys His commands as He loves His Son. It is given to God's chosen ones, with the love of God bestowed in large measure upon them to comfort, strengthen and bless feeble and afflicted believers, feeding poor hungry souls who seldom have preaching with rich food from the living oracles of God.
Endurance in Trials
Receiving the end of faith is spoken of in joyful, not doleful or gloomy, language, for the joy of the Lord gives strength and vigor to mental powers and spiritual life. That joy shines the light of Christ into the chambers of the mind and gives correct sight of invisible things. It is to be lived out by individually cooperating with Christ while living very near the end of this world's history. Those whose portion is trials and afflictions are to cling to the Mighty One, be of good courage in the Lord, and trust Jesus implicitly even when tried as by fire, because the night is far spent and the day is at hand.
Receiving this salvation means being brought out of darkness and the slough of despond into marvelous light, with sunshine flashing through the inner chamber. Those who have received it rest and rejoice in that light every day by living faith, giving themselves to Jesus without reservation and committing the keeping of the soul to Him as faithful. They are no longer to talk darkness, doubts, and trials, which only grow bigger with talking and give Satan the victory, but to come up into the upper chamber to talk light, hope, and courage, placing themselves under the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness and being a light that brings hope and courage and grace to hearts that need it. It comes while living in the last time, when the forces of Satan are arrayed with masterly power and subtle temptations to overcome those who believe, yet God is able and will keep the believing soul from being overcome. Temptation is therefore met by giving glory to God and by looking to Jesus as Author and Finisher of faith, greatly rejoicing though for a season in heaviness through manifold temptations.
Its closing fulfillment belongs to the very close of this world's history and the closing days of probation and great trial of faith, when iniquity abounds and Satan through disobedient agents especially opposes the commandment-keeping people with trial and sorrow to discourage them. That trial grows out of the conflict over the law of God that began with warfare in heaven, when Satan sought to change God's government and was expelled, and now seeks revenge by persuading to disloyalty and trampling the law and by pressing the idea that God is displeased in order to torture souls into unbelief. The answer is to rejoice always and put entire trust in Jesus as the only hope. Those who trust God receive this salvation of the soul, while those who sow unbelief reap its harmful consequences. For those afflicted by the course of others who ought to have helped and built them up in the most holy faith, the instruction is to bear in mind that Jesus knows it all, to not become exasperated or let the feelings of the natural heart control, to cherish no spirit of retaliation, to commit the case wholly to Jesus, and to hold His hand stretched out in pitying tenderness as sufficient for the present hour of trial.
Study, Preaching, and Mission
The chapter holding this verse is instruction every church member must take in hand and obey in letter and in spirit, commencing with full purpose to carry it out. It is to be read, contemplated, and prayed over, and studied carefully, with willing obedience bringing spiritual strength. It is to be read together with James and Second Peter, on bowed knees before the Lord Jesus Christ, with individual intercession for the converting influence of the Holy Spirit to come. Solemnly believed, especially by men and women seeking office, it produces a decided change in words and in spirit toward others. For those afflicted by the course of others who ought to have helped and built them up in the most holy faith, it teaches to bear in mind that Jesus knows it all, to not become exasperated or let the feelings of the natural heart control, to cherish no spirit of retaliation, to commit the case wholly to Jesus who died for them, and to keep faith in Him and hold His hand stretched out in pitying tenderness as sufficient for the present hour of trial.
The passage serves as preaching truth demonstrated by the Bible and clearly proved, spoken with power to hundreds gathered in a tent and heard with interest so hearers carry something away with them. The end of faith is the salvation of souls received through trial of faith, seen when believers endure storm and Sabbath hardship without complaint and know the blessing and presence of Jesus. Every soul that receives the truth receives the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to be transformed in character, sanctified and made pure and holy, as fit vessels for the Master's use.
The verse places the salvation of souls as the end of faith and the work to be accomplished, and as the outcome toward which faith leads. The instruction in the first two chapters exhorts believers to a godly life and to live godly lives, and it is to be presented to the people now, to impress on all that the time has come to work intelligently and earnestly for salvation. The first eleven verses contain the very instruction needed now and admonitions of the Lord to be heeded, calling believing, commandment-keeping people to a special work as faithful laborers together with God in the salvation of sinners. Servants of Jesus Christ who know the truth and the power of grace have an extensive and important mission, and every soul is held responsible for the proper exercise of the talents entrusted to him. The manner of labor taught there is to remain separate from the world while living in the world, to keep medical missionary work bound up with the gospel ministry, and to labor unitedly with the church in soul-saving work in harmony with God's purpose.
It is a most precious representation of what Christians may be if they will hear and obey, and a precious picture of what they may be when they hear and obey God's counsel, setting the high standard they must attain. The chapter's instruction is to be practiced with watchfulness and prayer, and its warning is directed to those who lift their souls to vanity. Receiving the end of faith requires reaching the standard of Christian perfection, for by the sacrifice of Christ every provision has been made for believers to receive all things that pertain to life and godliness. God calls believers to reach the highest standard of glory and virtue, and the perfection of Christ's character makes it possible to gain perfection and to reach the highest standard of Christian character. Those connected with God's service must be sanctified soul, body, and spirit, learning meekness and lowliness from Christ and knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ, so Christ can present a church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. Receiving this salvation means receiving Christ, partaking of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world through lust, and not lifting the soul unto vanity, maintained only by daily obedience to all the commandments of God by bringing the law of heaven into everyday experience and engaging in constant spiritual warfare while in this world of sin, so that words and actions express its meaning.
Receiving the end of faith means receiving its goal and intended outcome, even the salvation of the soul, as a promised inheritance reserved in heaven and kept by God's power through faith to be revealed at Christ's appearing. It belongs to those who love Christ though they have not seen Him and believe though they do not now see Him, who rejoice with glorious joy beyond words even amid grief and heaviness while awaiting that salvation. Their faith, far more precious than perishing gold, must be tried by fire through manifold temptations, refined and strengthened until it is found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. This salvation is the grace foretold by the prophets who searched into the sufferings of Christ and the glory to follow, now reported in the gospel preached by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, into which angels desire to look. Receiving it means receiving Christ Himself by faith into the heart, through a faith that works by love and purifies the soul, taking hold of God's promises, keeping His commandments, and pressing on toward Christian perfection until complete in Him.
Words and Outcome
The word end means goal or outcome, and the goal of faith is the salvation of the soul, received as faith reaches its intended result. Believers receive this outcome as those who love Christ though they have not seen Him and believe in Him though they do not now see Him. They rejoice with deep, glorious, unspeakable joy full of glory even amid grief and heaviness through manifold trials. Tested faith is tried as gold tried by fire, that it may be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
This salvation is the promised inheritance kept for God's people. It is an incorruptible, undefiled, unfading inheritance, begotten again unto a living hope by abundant mercy through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is reserved in heaven for those kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. It is ready to be revealed in the last time at Christ's appearing, which is the very close of this world's history and the closing days of probation and great trial of faith.
Surrounding Context
The promise belongs to those who love Christ though they have never seen Him and who believe in Him though they do not see Him now, holding fast to God's promises and living by faith. Their faith reaches its intended outcome in the salvation of the soul, which is the promised inheritance kept for God's people and revealed at Christ's appearing. That outcome comes to believers whose love and trust hold though He is unseen, and whose faith will lead to salvation when Christ is revealed.
Those believers rejoice with deep, glorious joy beyond words, a joy unspeakable and full of glory, even when for a season they are in heaviness through grief and manifold trials. It is joyful and not doleful or gloomy language, for the joy of the Lord gives strength and vigor to mental and spiritual life, shining Christ's light into the mind and giving correct sight of invisible things. They rejoice in hope while awaiting salvation at Christ's appearing, greatly rejoicing even amid temptation and affliction.
The setting is God's abundant mercy begetting again to a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. That hope looks to an incorruptible, undefiled, unfading inheritance reserved in heaven for those kept by God's power through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In view of Christ's great sacrifice it calls for purifying the soul in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, loving one another with a pure heart fervently as those born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the word of God which lives and abides forever.
Testing and Proving
The Lord tests and proves every soul, and faith, being far more precious than perishing gold, must be tried by fire as silver and gold are purified, so that its worth is made apparent. The goal of faith is the salvation of the soul, and it is reached only after faith has been thus tested. Those who love Christ though they have never seen Him, and who believe in Him though they do not now see Him, rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory even when for a season they are in heaviness through manifold temptation.
Tested faith through manifold temptations and heaviness for a season is refined and strengthened rather than sunk. Its trial, much more precious than perishing gold tried with fire, will be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. This growth in grace brings honor and glory to God at Christ's appearing, as believers who love and trust the unseen Christ already rejoice with deep joy while awaiting that salvation.
No one gains the crown of life in the kingdom of glory without passing through severe conflicts and trials, for everyone who wins the race for the immortal crown strives lawfully. This salvation is the hope toward which tested faith is being perfected, to be fully revealed at Christ's appearing.
Prophets, Gospel, and Angels
The salvation of the soul received as the outcome of faith in Christ is bound up with the grace foretold by the prophets. Those prophets prophesied of the grace to come after inquiring and searching diligently into the time and meaning of what the Spirit of Christ in them was signifying when testifying beforehand of the sufferings of Christ and the glory that would follow.
These are the things now reported through the preaching of the gospel by the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven. This salvation is the redemption of the human race and the glory of the Prince of life, a mysterious and wonderful theme with depths that even the mightiest human powers cannot reach. Into these things the angels desire to look.
The prophets were inspired by Jesus Christ to look down from age to age and century to century and see every trial coming upon human beings. It was revealed to them that they were ministering these things not for themselves but for present believers. This generation has seen the fulfillment of prophecy especially clearly. Because Christ died and lives again, having rent the tomb, believers have life and joy in Him and victory over the temptations and deceptive wiles of the evil one. In place of sin the righteousness of Christ is imputed through laying hold on the merits of the blood of the crucified and risen and exalted Saviour, so there is no excuse to continue in sin and disobedience, since sin is the transgression of the law, during the probation granted to come back to allegiance to God.
How Salvation Received
Receiving the end of faith is receiving Jesus Christ Himself by faith into the heart, where He abides, through a faith that works by love and purifies the soul. It is received by taking the assurance God has given in His Word and planting the feet upon His promises rather than waiting for dreams or wonderful feelings, giving living confidence in the heavenly Father's love. That trust means walking by faith beyond what can be seen, loving God by keeping all His commandments, doing His will in order to know the doctrine, following Christ in the light and not in darkness, and abiding in Him with His words abiding within.
Receiving this salvation means receiving Christ and thereby partaking of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust, and not lifting the soul unto vanity. It is maintained only by daily obedience to all the commandments of God, bringing the law of heaven into everyday experience. This is practiced in constant spiritual warfare while in this world of sin, with watchfulness and prayer so that words and actions express its meaning.
Receiving the end of faith, the salvation of souls, requires reaching the standard of Christian perfection. The source of strength for this is the sacrifice of Christ, by which every provision has been made for believers to receive all things that pertain to life and godliness. God calls believers to reach the highest standard of glory and virtue, and the perfection of Christ's character makes it possible to gain that perfection of character. Those connected with God's service must be sanctified in soul, body, and spirit, learning meekness and lowliness from Christ and knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ, so as to be presented as a church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.
It requires constantly exercising faith, because this world is an educating school to prepare to graduate to the higher school above, and eternal destiny is decided by personal course of action. It means forming in this life such character as to be welcomed into the mansions Christ has gone to prepare, rightly understanding the claims of God and applying great truths to little things, since little things constitute the discipline of life for training the soul and developing character for the courts above. The grace of Christ works in and with every child of God who presses from light to greater light and from strength to greater strength until able to say, I am more than conqueror through Him that loved me and gave Himself for me, complete in Him, not having my own righteousness but the righteousness which is by faith in Jesus Christ.
This salvation of the soul as the end of faith is among the extensive privileges provided in coming into close relationship with Christ. It belongs with being delivered out of the hand of enemies to serve God without fear in holiness and righteousness all the days of life. It belongs also with being delivered from the devices of evil men and evil angels while seeking to break the bonds of sin and Satan by looking to Jesus as the author and finisher of faith. The believer who receives this bears in life and character the testimony that God loves the human agent who obeys His commands as He loves His Son. It is given to God's chosen ones, with the love of God bestowed in large measure upon them to comfort, strengthen and bless feeble and afflicted believers, feeding poor hungry souls who seldom have preaching with rich food from the living oracles of God.
Endurance in Trials
Receiving the end of faith is spoken of in joyful, not doleful or gloomy, language, for the joy of the Lord gives strength and vigor to mental powers and spiritual life. That joy shines the light of Christ into the chambers of the mind and gives correct sight of invisible things. It is to be lived out by individually cooperating with Christ while living very near the end of this world's history. Those whose portion is trials and afflictions are to cling to the Mighty One, be of good courage in the Lord, and trust Jesus implicitly even when tried as by fire, because the night is far spent and the day is at hand.
Receiving this salvation means being brought out of darkness and the slough of despond into marvelous light, with sunshine flashing through the inner chamber. Those who have received it rest and rejoice in that light every day by living faith, giving themselves to Jesus without reservation and committing the keeping of the soul to Him as faithful. They are no longer to talk darkness, doubts, and trials, which only grow bigger with talking and give Satan the victory, but to come up into the upper chamber to talk light, hope, and courage, placing themselves under the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness and being a light that brings hope and courage and grace to hearts that need it. It comes while living in the last time, when the forces of Satan are arrayed with masterly power and subtle temptations to overcome those who believe, yet God is able and will keep the believing soul from being overcome. Temptation is therefore met by giving glory to God and by looking to Jesus as Author and Finisher of faith, greatly rejoicing though for a season in heaviness through manifold temptations.
Its closing fulfillment belongs to the very close of this world's history and the closing days of probation and great trial of faith, when iniquity abounds and Satan through disobedient agents especially opposes the commandment-keeping people with trial and sorrow to discourage them. That trial grows out of the conflict over the law of God that began with warfare in heaven, when Satan sought to change God's government and was expelled, and now seeks revenge by persuading to disloyalty and trampling the law and by pressing the idea that God is displeased in order to torture souls into unbelief. The answer is to rejoice always and put entire trust in Jesus as the only hope. Those who trust God receive this salvation of the soul, while those who sow unbelief reap its harmful consequences. For those afflicted by the course of others who ought to have helped and built them up in the most holy faith, the instruction is to bear in mind that Jesus knows it all, to not become exasperated or let the feelings of the natural heart control, to cherish no spirit of retaliation, to commit the case wholly to Jesus, and to hold His hand stretched out in pitying tenderness as sufficient for the present hour of trial.
Study, Preaching, and Mission
The chapter holding this verse is instruction every church member must take in hand and obey in letter and in spirit, commencing with full purpose to carry it out. It is to be read, contemplated, and prayed over, and studied carefully, with willing obedience bringing spiritual strength. It is to be read together with James and Second Peter, on bowed knees before the Lord Jesus Christ, with individual intercession for the converting influence of the Holy Spirit to come. Solemnly believed, especially by men and women seeking office, it produces a decided change in words and in spirit toward others. For those afflicted by the course of others who ought to have helped and built them up in the most holy faith, it teaches to bear in mind that Jesus knows it all, to not become exasperated or let the feelings of the natural heart control, to cherish no spirit of retaliation, to commit the case wholly to Jesus who died for them, and to keep faith in Him and hold His hand stretched out in pitying tenderness as sufficient for the present hour of trial.
The passage serves as preaching truth demonstrated by the Bible and clearly proved, spoken with power to hundreds gathered in a tent and heard with interest so hearers carry something away with them. The end of faith is the salvation of souls received through trial of faith, seen when believers endure storm and Sabbath hardship without complaint and know the blessing and presence of Jesus. Every soul that receives the truth receives the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to be transformed in character, sanctified and made pure and holy, as fit vessels for the Master's use.
The verse places the salvation of souls as the end of faith and the work to be accomplished, and as the outcome toward which faith leads. The instruction in the first two chapters exhorts believers to a godly life and to live godly lives, and it is to be presented to the people now, to impress on all that the time has come to work intelligently and earnestly for salvation. The first eleven verses contain the very instruction needed now and admonitions of the Lord to be heeded, calling believing, commandment-keeping people to a special work as faithful laborers together with God in the salvation of sinners. Servants of Jesus Christ who know the truth and the power of grace have an extensive and important mission, and every soul is held responsible for the proper exercise of the talents entrusted to him. The manner of labor taught there is to remain separate from the world while living in the world, to keep medical missionary work bound up with the gospel ministry, and to labor unitedly with the church in soul-saving work in harmony with God's purpose.
It is a most precious representation of what Christians may be if they will hear and obey, and a precious picture of what they may be when they hear and obey God's counsel, setting the high standard they must attain. The chapter's instruction is to be practiced with watchfulness and prayer, and its warning is directed to those who lift their souls to vanity. Receiving the end of faith requires reaching the standard of Christian perfection, for by the sacrifice of Christ every provision has been made for believers to receive all things that pertain to life and godliness. God calls believers to reach the highest standard of glory and virtue, and the perfection of Christ's character makes it possible to gain perfection and to reach the highest standard of Christian character. Those connected with God's service must be sanctified soul, body, and spirit, learning meekness and lowliness from Christ and knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ, so Christ can present a church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. Receiving this salvation means receiving Christ, partaking of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world through lust, and not lifting the soul unto vanity, maintained only by daily obedience to all the commandments of God by bringing the law of heaven into everyday experience and engaging in constant spiritual warfare while in this world of sin, so that words and actions express its meaning.