Bible Question:
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† |
Bible Answer: Zach, The practical spiritual advice of Ignatius of Loyola was to "pray as if everything depends on God and work as if everything depends on you." Some people might call prayer and "the obedience of faith" maintenance. I am not sure I would use that terminology, but some might. I would prefer communion with God to maintenance of faith. But the practical end may be the same however you describe it. Emmaus |