Continue

2 Timothy 3:14 (CEB) · Passing the Flame

“But you must continue with the things you have learned and found convincing. You know who taught you.” – 2 Timothy 3:14 (CEB)

Paul opens his closing charge to Timothy with one verb. “But you must continue with the things you have learned and found convincing.”

Continue is a stubborn word. It is not exciting. It is not new. It does not trend. In a world that loves pivots and rebrands, Paul tells Timothy to keep doing what has already been working. Do not reinvent the faith you received. Do not dress it up in the latest fashion. Continue.

Notice what Paul says Timothy can continue in. Not things Timothy hopes. Things Timothy has learned and found convincing. Paul is asking Timothy to trust his own experience, tested over time.

That is not closed-mindedness. It is maturity. Learning continues, but the center holds. The things that were true at 8 a.m. are still true at 8 p.m.

What have you learned and found convincing that you are tempted to abandon for something newer?

Steady God, teach us to continue. When pressure tempts us to chase what is new, hold us in what is true. Amen.