Note 6 at Mt. 24:13: Here, Jesus is teaching that there is a perseverance on the believer's part for complete salvation. Salvation is a gift that cannot be earned (Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9) nor maintained (Gal. 3:3; Col. 2:6) by our own works. It has to be received by faith. However, there is effort on our part to maintain that faith. This is where holiness comes in.

Holiness will not produce relationship with God, nor will a lack of holiness make God turn away from us. He deals with us according to our faith in Jesus and not our performance. But holiness will keep Satan from stealing our faith from us, while lack of holiness is an open invitation to the devil to do his worst. A person who wants to endure to the end cannot live a lifestyle that permits Satan free access to him.