It has long been the conviction of Christians that once we have truly come to Christ in repentance and faith, we can never fall away from that faith. Those who have been justified can never be unjustified; those who have been indwelled by the Spirit will never be abandoned by him. Yet Christians have also agreed that it is possible for us to deceive ourselves and to deceive other people into thinking we have trusted in Christ when we have not. Hence we are told to be diligent in confirming our “calling and election” (1 Peter 1:10).
Knowing that we can be self-deceived, we must examine our lives to ensure we are living as Christians are called to live—that we are putting sin to death, that we are coming alive to righteousness, and that we are finding ever-greater joy in our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. And always we must pray that God would graciously preserve us by his Spirit so we can live in a way that is pleasing to him, then finish our race well and go to be with him forever.
Today I am sharing a prayer that is also a poem written by John Ernest Bode. I read it often and as I do I make the prayer my own. I use it to give me words to plead with God that he would grant me grace to do what I have promised—to serve him faithfully to the end. Perhaps you would benefit by praying it as well and letting it express the longing of your heart.
O Jesus, I have promised
to serve Thee to the end;
be Thou forever near me,
my Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
if Thou art by my side,
nor wander from the pathway
if Thou wilt be my Guide.O let me feel Thee near me,
the world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
the tempting sounds I hear;
my foes are ever near me,
around me and within;
but, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,
and shield my soul from sin.O let me hear Thee speaking
in accents clear and still,
above the storms of passion,
the murmurs of self-will;
O speak to reassure me,
to hasten or control!
O speak, and make me listen,
Thou Guardian of my soul!O Jesus, Thou hast promised
to all who follow Thee
that where Thou art in glory
there shall Thy servant be;
and, Jesus, I have promised
to serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow,
my Master and my Friend!
Observe: The poet begins by affirming that he has promised to serve Jesus to the end of his life. But he knows this will not be easy, for in the second stanza he provides a long list of the enemies and temptations that will challenge him for mastery of his life. This is why, in the third stanza, he pleads with God to give him what he needs to overcome those challenges. By the end he turns his heart away from what he has promised and toward what Jesus has promised—the ultimate affirmation that he will, indeed, remain faithful.
Apply: Do you ever struggle with doubts about your salvation? Where do you turn for comfort when this happens? Rather than taking it for granted, it is good to take time today to pray to the Lord that, by his grace, you will persevere to the end. In addition to the encouragement of Scripture, it can be helpful to hear from others who might note evidence of grace in your life. Are there people who can speak into your life to tell you whether you are showing the marks of the Christian? If so, consider inviting their feedback today.
For more poetic prayers and devotional thoughts like this one, consider buying my book Pilgrim Prayers.
