Luke 22:31-38

1. We learn from these verses what a fearful enemy the devil is to believers.
2. We learn one great secret of a believer's perseverance in the faith.
3. We learn the duty incumbent on all believers who receive special mercies from Christ.
4. We learn that the servant of Christ ought to use all reasonable means in doing his Master's work.

"The world is a snare to the believer. The flesh is a burden and a clog. But there is no enemy so dangerous as that restless, invisible, subtle, experienced Enemy - the devil!

"If we are true Christians, we shall find it essential to our comfort in religion to have clear views of Christ's priestly office and intercession."

"[God] can make the fall of a disciple the means of fitting him to be the strengthener and upholder of others."

"Let us labor, and toil, and give, and speak, and act, and write for Christ as if all depended on our exertions. And yet let us never forget that success depends entirely on God's blessing! To expect success by our own money bag and sword is pride and self-righteousness. But to expect success without the money bag and the sword is presumption and fanaticism."

Questions:

1. Ryle mentions that the world is a snare, the flesh a burden, but none so dangerous and evil as the devil. Do we take this evil foe lightly, or do we, knowing our weakness, watch and pray and resist him trusting he will then flee from us?
2. The perseverance of the saints rests in the fact that Christ died, rose again, and is now interceding on our behalf! Is this doctrine new to you? Why do you think Ryle says this doctrine is essential to our comfort in religion?
3. Friends, if we have fallen and been restored, do we encourage and strengthen others in their failings? Like 2 Corinthians 1, do we give comfort to others that we have received from God?
4. We learn a principle from this passage that is important to take to heart, especially when we consider God's sovereignty and our responsibility. Ryle tells us to labor, and toil, and give, and speak, and act, and write for Christ as if all depended on our exertions. And yet let us never forget that success depends entirely on God's blessing! In the words of Jerry Bridges, "we should act as if it all depends on us, and pray like it all depends on God." Do our lives reflect this balance of acting and trusting?