1. STEPS TO FAITHFULNESS
I PETER 4:17-18

2. Scarcely is from the Greek word “molis.”
In our Scripture Reading the Apostle Peter mentions that it is difficult to be saved eternally.
I Peter 4: If the righteous man is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear.
Scarcely is from the Greek word “molis.”
This means that which is accomplished with great difficulty; something that will get done with a great and extended effort.
The Bible tells us there will be difficulties standing for God, Christ, the Bible, and the church.
Matthew 10: "And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”

3. It is difficult to enter.
There are many forces against Christianity.
Acts 14: Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of Heaven.”
Matthew 7: 13-14
Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
I Corinthians 10: Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
What are some steps we can take to help us be more faithful as we strive to reach our goal, Heaven.

4. Be Courageous
I Corinthians 16: Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.
Courage is the quality that a person has which causes them to stand firm, to endure when the going gets rough, and willing to undertake anything God gives them to do.
Courage gives a person confidence and assurance so that they can be bold in their living for God.
Courage will help us to stand firm in a society with so much to pull us away from God.
James 1: Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

5. Real courage comes from above.
Courage will keep us from becoming depressed and quitting when trials and tribulation come our way.
James 1: Consider it all joy, my brethren when you encounter various trails. Knowing the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing
Real courage comes from above.
Philippians 4: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Once we realize the Lord is with us courage should be no problem.
Romans 8: What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

6. Does being a Christian involve such a commitment?
Be Committed
Commitment: To pledge one’s self to a work, to bind one’s self to a work, to promise, pledge, and the binding causes one to engage in a work. Commitment also has a time involvement.
Does being a Christian involve such a commitment?
Luke 14:25-33 talks about counting the cost to follow Jesus.
Luke 9:23
If any man will come after me, let deny himself, and take up his cross, daily and follow Me.
Is It Possible To Live Up To Such A Commitment?
Paul did

7. Yet he remained faithful.
He endured a lot for the cause of Christ according to II Corinthians 11:23-29
Yet he remained faithful.
II Timothy 4: For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Stephen was another person who showed a strong commitment to the Lord, in Acts 7:59-60
How were they able to do this?
They were fully committed to Lord and they also knew that come what may, His grace would be sufficient enough to carry them through.

8. The Bible teaches continuance.
Continuance: Keep on keeping on, not giving up, no turning back, to keep one’s eye on the goal.
The Bible teaches continuance.
Hebrews 12: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,
Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart.
I Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

9. Unfortunately, some are not good at continuance.
II Corinthians 4: Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Unfortunately, some are not good at continuance.
Remember the two sons Jesus talks about in Matthew 21:28-31.
It’s not enough to say yes, we must carry through with our actions.

10. Now what about the questions in our text?
I Peter 4: For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
II Thessalonians 1: Inflicting vengeance upon those who do not know God and upon those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
I Peter 4: Now "If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?''
Revelation 21: But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

11. WHAT STEPS ARE YOU TAKING TO STAY FAITHFUL AND MAKE IT TO HEAVEN?
Matthew 25: “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
God wants no one to be lost.
II Peter 3: The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
WHAT STEPS ARE YOU TAKING TO STAY FAITHFUL AND MAKE IT TO HEAVEN?

12. Given by David Hamlin on am Hollister, Missouri church of Christ