Stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you

 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Why?

We are saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. It is not by our ability or our effort, it is the grace of the Lord that gave us eternal encouragement and good hope.

Nothing I can boast about or be proud of, so we should stand firm and hold fast to the word of the Lord.

How?

Be humble, and stand firm for our hope and strength come from the Holy Spirit and God's grace.