Bible Question (short): Does faith require maintenance? |
Question (full): Please excuse my ignorance in asking so many questions But I feel compelled to ask this one also to see what imput this forum can provide me with. So please bear with me once again. Fenelon I believe is attributed with the quote: "Let go, and let God" But in 2 Tim. 4:7 it didn't appear to be Paul's philosophy of the day when he stated: 2Tim. 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: In this I see 3 "I haves" of Paul, he said: 1) I HAVE fought the good fight. I also cross reference this with the following verse: 1Tim 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. I think Paul was saying we have been enlisted as soliders in the army of Christ, theres a real battle thats being waged. Do we have to take up the armor and get dressed for battle, or does God dress us? Do we follow Him into battle? 2) I HAVE finished my course -- here is the second I have of Paul from this verse 3) I HAVE kept the faith. I know that believers are kept by the power of God through faith. (1 Pet. 1:5) So do these kept verses contradict each other? Does faith require maintenance on the part of those who have it? In Christ zach† |