Grace and Perseverance

(Hebrews 12:1-3)

1Thou therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3Suffer hardship with me , as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. 5And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowned, except he have contended lawfully. 6The husbandmen that laboreth must be the first to partake of the fruits. 7Consider what I say; for the Lord shall give thee understanding in all things.

8Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel: 9wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds, as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound. 10Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him:

12if we endure, we shall also reign with him: if we shall deny him, he also will deny us:

13if we are faithless, he abideth faithful; for he cannot deny himself.

The Lord's Approved Workman

14Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear. 15Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth. 16But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness, 17and their word will eat as doth a gangrene: or whom is Hymenaeus an Philetus; 18men who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some. 19Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.

20Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honor, and some unto dishonor. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master's use, prepared unto every good work. 22But flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes. 24And the Lord's servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing, 25in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth, 26and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will.