Continuing in Grace

Aim: To be dogmatically committed to persevering in our faith.

Doctrine: Sincere Churchmen must not quit believing in the true religion. By grace, we are to persist in the things we have already learned and are to have faith in the God who provides our sources (of doctrinal truth).

Exegesis: Three anchors that encourage our continuing in grace: first, we may rest securely in what (and who) we currently know (v. 14a); then, we have assurance that God gives His Churchmen credible instructors (v. 14b); finally, we may confidently base our beliefs on God's objective scripture (v. 15).

Further application: Practical safeguards that aid our continuing in grace: let us be sure to avoid foolish ''open-mindedness,'' and let us be humbly grateful for the old (but living) truths.

Key verse: v. 14 ''But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them...''