Keeping The Faith

"I have done my best in the race, I have run the full distance, and I have kept the faith." - 2nd Timothy 4:7 (GNT)

There are lots of things we can't do.

We, really, control so little. We can't make things turn out like we want or people to do as they ought.

But we can, with God's help, keep the faith - knowing Jesus paid for our sins, obeying Christ in our choices, and trusting that through it all God is at work in the world, our families and our lives.

If we do that we have a great future.

"... I have kept the faith. ... The prize ... is now waiting for me. ... He will give it not only to me but also to everyone who is eagerly waiting for him to come again. - 2nd Timothy 4:7b-8 (GWT)

- fritz

Faith Additives - Temperance

"...Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge And to knowledge temperance;...For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ...if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:" - 2nd Peter 1:5-6a, 8, 10b (KJV)

Faith needs additives¹ to encourage growth and Peter lists seven (7) with the promise if they are present the believer will never fall, nor be barren and unfruitful.

Temperance (Self control) is the balancing character for seeking experiential knowledge. We are to exercise self control in our consumption, recreation, and relationships.

"A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out" - Proverbs 25:28 (Message Bible)

We need to heed godly warnings² . Hot-headed self-centered boors are unattractive even if they do believe in Jesus!

Instead of praying for God to help us loose weight, have more friends, or be a better witness, maybe we ought to ask God to help us develop self control³ .

"...It is better to win control over yourself than over whole cities"- Proverbs 16:32b (Good News Bible)

¹ Faith Additives
² Spiritual Teenagers
³ Asking The Wrong Questions

-fritz