Keep Alert to Behavior and Doctrine
1Tim 4:16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Once we're on the right track in terms of our lifestyle and beliefs, then another step is to persevere in them. Perseverance is one of the character qualities Peter mentioned in 2Peter 1:5-8 of which he said would prevent us from being ineffective or unproductive in our Christian life.
Also Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine." John 8:31 In fact "Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God." 2John 1:9
Therefore Hebrews says, "You have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 'For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.' But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul." Heb 10:36-39