Keeping the faith means holding onto Jesus – the giver of eternal life – despite suffering and disappointment, lest one ends up in hell. But that is not all. Keeping the faith also means holding onto the promises of God for this earthly life, and doing what He told you to do, even when it hurts and results seem unattainable. In those seemingly uncertain times, we must “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He (God) who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).
Let us take Abraham as an example of keeping the faith. Abraham, “contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken or promised to him by God” (Romans 4:18). You see, those who are not well tutored in the ways of God think that the walk of faith is smooth and easy. When, after receiving God’s promises and believing Him they encounter a wilderness offering them only the exact opposite of what they were promised, they throw in the towel, and so forfeit the good plans God had for them. Abraham our father did not do that, and we his children should imitate him.
Again concerning Abraham, “after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise” (Hebrews 6:15). Likewise, if we patiently suffer and wait on God’s promises, not quitting because we are experiencing things contrary to what He promised us, we shall one day joyfully celebrate the faithfulness and goodness of God. When that time comes, our experience will be likened to Psalm 126:6 which says: “He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
God bless you.