Yes! Daily walking in the footsteps of our Lord builds character-strength and faith to endure onto the end. There are many admonitions and supportive scriptures that will encourage and comfort us as we try to fulfill our vows. Here are but a few:
Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV), “…present your bodies a living sacrifice (our vows of consecration), holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” “Transformation” is the Greek word, “metamorphose”. It is like the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly. The old man is sacrificed and the new mind is the transformed new creature. (This transformation will be complete at the spirit birth at the resurrection.)
This is a lifelong process. “And he (Jesus) said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23. Daily obedience builds a close relationship with God and with Jesus. We learn to abide in Him. We recognize answered prayer as well as God’s providential over-rulings. Colossians 3:3, “…your life is hid with Christ in God.”
As we are developed, we put on the whole armor of God. The new creature is protected. Ephesians 6:10-11, 14-18 (NKJV), “…be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil . . . Stand therefore,. . . with truth, . . .the breastplate of righteousness, and . . . the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful…”
All this may seem overwhelming when “fiery trials try us as though some strange thing has happened to us” (1 Peter 4:12). But be comforted because, “No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NET).
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13, “the Lord make you to increase and abound in love . . .To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father…”
