I Have Kept the Faith!

By Charles R. Grisham

Text: II Timothy 4:3-7
Key Verse: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” (II Timothy 4:7)

“Faith,” in this reference, is the truth, testimony, (body of truth). “Kept” means, attended to all these things very carefully. Think of what had been given to Paul – he had served his generation and faithfully passed it on to the next.

Part of “keeping the faith,” is maintaining a Biblical view of salvation. We need to maintain a clear understanding of what's right. We can outsmart the devil by not doing things that will bring us to defeat. Don't shoot yourself in the foot! The human heart is desperately wicked. Because of this, we need to oft reiterate what His grace and blood did for us.

We “follow on to know the Lord.” (Hosea 6:3) Because we are “in Christ,” and are “a new creature,” ...”all things become new.” (II Corinthians 5:17) We take up our cross daily; but, in order to do this, our flesh needs to be kept under subjection. Paul said, “None of these things move me...” (Acts 20:24) and, “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9)

To do this, we must maintain the soundness of doctrine. The early church went through severe tests, largely from false teachers and false teaching. When the enemy comes sniffing around your children, you can pray a hedge around those you have consecrated to God. To maintain your equilibrium, you must...

• Know the truth
  
• Keep it faithfully
  
• Key in on righteousness
  
• Keep a consistent, daily walk
  
• Keep fighting!
  
• Keep the faith!
  

Pressure is exerted from all sides. The “equalizer” is the Holy Ghost. When the outer pressure is the greatest, we have His promise that, “...greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (I John 4:4)

Pressure is also on the church. Remember! The church is in the world, but it is not of the world!

What you feed on will eventually come bubbling out, one way or another. We are most careful about the things we treasure; they reveal where our heart is.

Shifting your mentality toward worldliness is never a wise thing. If you don't maintain your walk and your integrity, you will suffer. It's like going fishing and getting caught! The enemy is always trying to cloud the issue... to keep us moving in a fog.

Jesus wills it that you will finish the race in victory! “I have kept the faith!”

“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” (II Timothy 6:8)