FAITH 301

  For Believing Christians

 

This faith lesson applies to all Christians, those new to the Faith and those now nearing their maturity.  This is a three-word, sermon from the admonitions of Christ and his Apostles.  It has been given great importance with many repetitions from many voices, as though we might forget.  Bible references abound that speak to:

KEEP THE FAITH

 

Now, we will look at several of these references, seeing what it meant to Paul and others.

 

1st Cor.  16:13    Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be valiant, be strong.

 
Col.   1:23   You must continue in your faith, firm on your foundation, never 
dislodged from the hope offered in the gospel.

 1st Tim   1:19    Fight gallantly, armed with faith and a good conscience.

 

 1st Tim    6:12   Run the Great race of faith and take hold of eternal life.

 
2nd Tim   4:7     I have run the Great race, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith
-------- Paul, Heb 10.23 Let us be firm and unswerving in the confession of our hope.

 

TO KEEP THE FAITH IS TO BE FOUND FAITHFUL

 

To keep the faith is a parallel idea to the REMEMBERANCE of the Last Supper.

Christ, says," Until I come again."  When He has come, Faith will become sight.  Until then, by Faith, we await His Return! Not Christmas or our birthday or tomorrow.  We are promised His return. We are not promised to-morrow.

 

To Keep the Faith, is to hold fast, to be aware of our faith, to exercise it, share it!

 

Faith is God's Gift; we don't lose it by sharing!  Paradox, our own Faith is strengthened and becomes bolder as we share it with others. 

 

This is the witness that spreads the Gospel around the World.  In this way, Christians become part of the miracle. (As if we were His disciples. Carrying the broken bread from Jesus' hands, to feed the hungry thousands.)

 

KEEP THE FAITH

 

Helpful hints:  Reserve a few silent minutes each day, when there is no Radio, TV, I pod, telephone or PC sound to be heard or pictures to be viewed.  Allow one's self to think. If not at home, then in the car or at the bus stop, bench.

 

Do not shun the company of other Christians, or the reading of God's Word.

 

Begin a habit of picking up the Bible to read a few verses or a page or two.  Mark the place so as to continue another time.  It is all right to read for the fun of discovery! (I am over 90 now, and still find new and interesting Bible reading.)

 

If for no other reason, Bible reading will help to balance a head full of "news, weather and sports!" And reading will help one to re-gain his place in Life and the real World of God and Man.  nw