2nd Peter 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[Desire Of Ages pp 295] John was proud, and ambitious to be first in the kingdom of God. But day by day, in contrast with his own violent spirit, he beheld the tenderness and forbearance of Jesus, and heard His lessons of humility and patience. He opened his heart to the divine influence, and became not only a hearer but a doer of the Savior's words. Self was hid in Christ. He learned to wear the yoke of Christ and to bear His burden.
Now, we’re not stating these things for us to take shelter in the shadow their failures, we are just highlighting the raw facts in the matter, showing the reasons why Paul is saying that we are saved by God’s grace. Now, it is true that the last generation of Christians are required by God to perfect characters in preparation for translation.
But here again, it is the grace of God which enables them to do so, and even when they have reached the summit of righteousness, they still would not be able to enter the pearly gates without the perfect righteousness of Christ, and His death for us on Calvary. That’s because each of us have had a sinful history in our past lives which would preclude us from ever being accepted by God, in and of ourselves.
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!