The Article is written by Rebecca Brown and was first published on Facebook and is republished here with her kind permission.

 

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,” 1 Peter 1:6-7.

God’s word tells us that our faith is much more precious than fine gold! The Lord has been talking to me about guarding my faith recently in my quiet times. We can allow our faith to grow weak, and can even lose it. But everything relies on our faith. Remember, God’s word says, it is impossible to please God without faith.

“…but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are IF we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope to the end,” Hebrews 3:6.

We are part of God’s house IF we hold fast our faith. There is no room for doubters or double-minded or people of weak faith in God’s house. Our HOPE is in what God plans for us after our death. James says this about people who are double-minded and are doubters: “For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord…” James 1:7.

We cannot allow our faith to grow weak or fail if we want to enter into heaven at our death. That is why it is so important to guard our faith.

“For we have become partakers of Christ IF we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,” Hebrews 3:14.

“…but exhort one another DAILY, while it is called Today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” Hebrews 3:13.

It is vitally important that we GUARD our faith. How? By building up our faith DAILY through exhortation by others, DAILY study of God’s word, and obedience to God’s commands.

I challenge you. How often to you talk with your spouse, children, or others about God’s word and the things of the Lord? This is an important part of guarding our faith. Did you know that such conversations are so important to God that He keeps a book of remembrance about your conversations pertaining to Him?

“Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another,
And the Lord listened and heard them;
So a book of remembrance was written before Him
For those who fear the Lord
And who meditate on His name.
‘They shall be Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts,
On the day that I make them My jewels.
And I will spare them
As a man spares his own son who serves him,” Malachi 3:16-17.

God’s word, the Bible, is powerful to keep us from falling away from the faith and into sin. That is why we MUST spend time in the scriptures DAILY. They, the scriptures, are living and powerful to keep us out of sin, and steadfast in our faith.

We cannot hold on to our faith in our own strength — especially when we are facing, or are in, the fire. God is able and willing to help us. But we must ask Him for His help.

“And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation TO ALL WHO OBEY HIM,” Hebrews 5:9.

Salvation comes with obedience along with believing in Jesus. You can’t just pray the sinner’s prayer, then go on to live a sinful life and expect to get to heaven. We MUST live a life of obedience to God.

Paul encourages us to, “imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” We receive God’s promises ONLY with faith and patience. Patience comes AS we guard our faith.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,” Hebrews 10:23-24.

“Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of ENDURANCE, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise,” Hebrews 10:35.

Not only must WE guard our faith, but we are to help each other guard our faith. Don’t waste your time in relationships with those who are not interested in God, and who do help stir you up to love and good works, thus keeping your faith strong.

GUARD YOUR FAITH!

 

Rebecca.

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Rebecca Brown of the Harvest Warriors Ministry.