2 Timothy 4:6-8 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.… I. WHAT IS MEANT BY KEEPING THE FAITH. 1. It may signify that we firmly believe the doctrines God has revealed, and steadfastly maintain them. We read of a "faith once delivered to the saints" (Jude 1:3). These, therefore, coming from God are certainly worthy of our credit, deserve our notice, and ought to be steadfastly maintained by us. 2. The expression signifies that we faithfully observe the vows and engagements we have brought ourselves under, to our glorious Master, and hold on with integrity and constancy in His service. II. THE NECESSITY AND IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE FAITH. 1. It is the distinguishing characteristic of a real Christian. That profession that is not set upon good principles will never hold. 2. In keeping the faith, the Christian's comfort is greatly promoted. The glorious doctrines of faith are of the most excellent nature; they abundantly recompense the Christian in his steady belief of and attachment to them, by the unspeakable supports they yield in every circumstance and station of life. 3. Keeping the faith is necessary to promote the honour of Christ, and to secure the Christian from those errors and snares to which he stands exposed. 4. Without a steadfast perseverance in the faith our hopes of heaven are vain and deceitful. Perseverence in the faith does not entitle us to eternal life, but there is no eternal life without it. A word or two of improvement. (1) Is keeping the faith the distinguishing character of a Christian? Then how few are there in the present age. The honours of the world lead away some, the sensualities of life ensnare others. (2) Is perseverance in the faith the character of a real Christian? How melancholy must their state be who never yet set forward in the ways of God. (3) Is it so important to keep the faith? Then let us seriously examine our own hearts concerning it. (S. Hayward.) Parallel Verses KJV: For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.WEB: For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come. |
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