The Christian life is likened in Scripture to a pilgrimage, a race, and a battle. In the Old Testament, the life of faith is spoken of as a pilgrimage. Jacob, when brought by Joseph before Pharaoh, was asked how old he was. He replied, "The years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years" (Gen. 47:9). The Psalmist also speaks of himself as being in the house of his pilgrimage (Ps. 119:54). Abraham lived as a pilgrim and a stranger in the land that was given to him by God (Heb. 11:9-10).

Paul wrote to Timothy, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2Tim. 4:7). He viewed life as a battle and a race. A race must be run until the goal is reached. A battle must be fought until the victory is won.

The Christian life begins with the new birth. There must be growth and continual progress. The believer in Christ is called to continue in certain significant areas of this life of faith.

continue IN one accord
In Acts 1:14 we read, "These all continued with one accord". They continued daily in this harmony, and in 2:1, "They were all with one accord in one place". They received the filling of the Spirit. They continued daily with one accord...breaking bread, praising God, having favour with all the people. God added to the church daily those who were saved (Acts 2:46-47). Unity among the saints results in joy and blessing to themselves and to others.

continue IN prayer
The disciples continued in prayer and supplication (Acts 1:14; 2:42). Prayer is the Christian's power-house. Praying to God, and communing with Him influences the believer's own life and the lives of others. There are many instances of prayer which resulted in great blessing both in the Old and New Testaments. Think of the prayers of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and many others who are examples for us. Prayer will lead us to praise God for His goodness in answered prayer.

continue IN THE word
God's Word leads us to Christ, and by believing in Him we are saved. After one is saved, there is to be growth. The Word of God is milk for babes and strong meat for the mature. It suits every condition.

The Word of God is adequate to strengthen, encourage, and sustain. Read Psalm 119, and see what a treasure house the Psalmist found in the Word of God. It gives encouragement to the heart (v. 32). It is a lamp to the feet and a light to the path (v- 105). Many other blessings are received through the Word. Do not neglect it. Read it, meditate upon it, and treasure it in your heart.

continue IN faith
We are saved through faith. We must also live by faith. "The just shall live by faith" is quoted three times in the New Testament. We must continue in faith (Acts 14:22; 1 Tim. 4:15-16). Salvation, enlargement, and establishment are made possible through faith. God has promised His blessings to us. We appropriate them by faith. The believer is saved by faith, kept by faith, lives by faith, and dies in faith.

continue IN love
Let brotherly love continue (Heb. 13:1). Continue in My love (Jn.l5:9). In the Lord's upper room ministry (Jn. 13-17), He has given us four dimensions of love: the love of the Father for the Son; the love of the Son for His people; the love of the Father for His children—these three are equal. The fourth dimension of love is to be fulfilled by us. The Lord said, "Love one another; as I have loved you". This dimension is far from being completed and it is the responsibility of His people to fulfill the same.

continue IN grace
We are saved by grace. Day by day we draw near to the throne of grace, so that we may find grace and help in time of need. And in this grace we are told to continue. May the Lord enable us each day to continue patiently in these important ways to bring glory to His Name and blessing to our own souls.

God did not tell me, Only roses would grow.

That I'd find no sorrow. On the path I must go.

But He promised to be there, Each step of the way,

Providing a way to escape, The temptations each day.