All biblical books, particularly those with an epistolary character, are written communications that link an author to an audience within the setting of a particular historical, social, and cultural context, so that all of these factors should be taken into consideration as a basis for interpreting the text.

Revelation 1-5, Volume 52A (Word Biblical Commentary)” by Dr. David Aune

Bavinck also writes that an evolutionary understanding of the human race as perpetually improving has led to a false understanding of the role of education in society. The belief that man has “evolved himself from the smallest beginnings” leads to the belief in the “grand and mighty man” ([Philosophy of Religion] 272). Having an overestimation of the ability of man, apart from Christ and revelation, leads only to man as the source of redemption. Bavinck goes on to explain that when the constant improvement of mankind is the telos of humanity, this view will eventually lead to a utilitarian society.

TBR Article (bavinckinstitute.org)

I have noted a tendency among some Christians to find some inconsistency between moral effort and justification by grace through faith. . . .

So Scripture commands us to yield our lives to God (Rom. 6:19; Phil. 3:13-14; Col. 3:10; Heb. 12:1), to strive for holiness (Rom. 8:13; 2 Cor. 7:1; 1 Thess. 4:3; Heb. 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15; 2 Peter 1:5; 1 John 3:3), to don the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:10-20) in order to fight against Satan and his angels, to put to death our sinful dispositions (Rom. 8:13; Col. 3:5). We can win this battle, not by the sword, but by truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation. Our only offensive weapons are the Word of God and prayer. This may seem a puny arsenal to the rulers of this world, but God tells us that it has more power than any of those rulers. People sometimes say mockingly, “Well, we can always try prayer.” But God’s weapons are more powerful than anything in the mockers’ arsenal. A gun will subdue a man, but only the sword of God’s Word wielded in prayer, will subdue Satan.

John M. Frame, Systematic Theology, 988.