Holding fast the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end means pressing along in the light of God's will, praying for grace that we may obey the Word of God. Being made a partaker of Christ depends on our doing what we have been commanded.

It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. (II Peter 2:21)

If we are not going to walk in the way of righteousness, if we are going to turn from the holy commandment, it would have been better if we had never heard of Christ.

I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. (II Peter 3:2)

We have to keep the commandments given to us by the Apostles of Christ, and also the commandments given by the Hebrew Prophets except those having to do with the ceremonial requirements of the Law of Moses.

We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. (I John 2:3)

The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (I John 2:4)

But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: (I John 2:5)

Here is the relationship between keeping the commandments of the Lord and His abiding in us and we in Him. We know we are abiding in Him and He in us when we are keeping His word, His commandments.

If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him. (I John 2:29)

How do we know when the Lord Jesus dwells in an individual? By noticing if that person is obeying the laws of righteousness.

Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. (I John 3:4-7)

And receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. (I John 3:22)

The only manner in which anyone can abide in Christ and Christ in him or her is by obeying Christ's commandments. If we love Christ we will keep His commandments. If we do not keep Christ's commandments we do not love Him and He is not abiding in us nor we in Him. This is what the Scripture declares. The Scripture is God's Word and absolutely truthful or it is not God's Word and absolutely truthful. There is no middle ground.

To be continued.