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: Brother Zach, I will attempt to help you with one part of your question, regarding does faith require maintenance on our part, as believers. Absolutely. Romans 10:17, "So then, faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God". Faith comes,(and grows, 1 Peter 2:2), by the "word of God". This is, quite obviously, your Bible. Daily, disciplined Bible STUDY, (not just reading), is essential for growing in Christ. Attending church, (where the Word is taught and adhered to), prayer, and fellowship with likeminded believers, are all essential to the "maintenance" of your faith. Genesis 2:15, "And the Lord God took the man, and put him in the garden of Eden to DRESS IT and KEEP IT". The garden is typology of the presence of God in our lives, (the kingdom of God). God is telling us here that we are to "dress" and "keep" his presence in our lives. This is work. If we do not tend to a garden, what happens? If we do, what happens? So it is with God in our lives. It is our most precious gift, and we are absolutely to "maintain" it. Finally, remember Jesus' parable of the sower of seeds? Mark 4:3-20. This is a great parable of what happens to people in different circumstances after they have heard the Gospel. In order to keep your faith alive and growing, it must be received, and maintained. It can be taken away, and it is difficult to get back. Make it the centerpiece of your life! Make Jesus Christ the centerpiece! Schedule time every day for Bible study and prayer. We schedule time for everybody else, why not our Lord and Saviour? Make time for Him, He has made it for you....Holler if I can help...God Bless You...believer57 |