- see also Heb 3:14,4:11,12:1, Philip 3:12-15, 1 Cor 9:24, James 1:4,1:12 for relevance of & need for perseverance
- we are saved through Christ alone, we can do nothing to earn our salvation: Rom 3:23 - no-one good enough
- the Bible calls us to obedience & perseverance in the faith: Rom 6:1-2&15-18
- mercy = resuing the helpless, doing what they can't do for themselves
- grace = giving what isn't deserved
- 1 Thess 2:13: word of God
- James 1:21-25: accept Bible as word of God = do it, not just listen to it
- accepting as word of God: trusting in it as absolute truth
- 'be shaped by God's word'

something to think about: How has God chosen to use the Bible to keep us spiritually strong? (See Ps 19:7-11, 119:9-16, 2 Tim 3:16)