The word keeping, or shamar in Hebrew, means to guard or to watch and protect. In the King James Bible Dictionary, the participle present tense of keeping is defined as holding, restraining, preserving, guarding, protecting, performing. Lastly, the Greek word, suntēreō means to keep closely together or to conserve. It can also mean to mentally remember and obey.
There is something common with all the above definitions. Keeping requires action on our part; to be daily guarding, protecting, preserving, remembering, and obeying the faith that Christ has entrusted unto us. When we think of Christmas, we should automatically think of Christ and what He came to this earth to accomplish. He was not just born to take on the fleshly nature of a baby in a manger. Christ was born to bring salvation to a sin-sick world. He was born to set a perfect example of how, as followers of Christ, we are to be keeping the faith. In His short time on this earth, He showed us how we can live. However, for us to live, Christ was born to die.
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
How else would we be able to know the whole truth of the gospel, to uphold the doctrine, and be partakers in keeping the faith? We must look to the very One who was the Founder or Creator of the faith. He was also the completion or fulfillment of the faith. Through Christ’s birth and sacrificial death, we have the opportunity to become a new creature in Him.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
We can have everlasting life if we are found keeping the faith, but in order for us to be keepers of it, we must be established in it. We cannot allow the commercialism, or the traditions of this world to cause us to water down the true meaning of why we celebrate Christmas.
“6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Colossians 2:6-8).
We must guard against the lies that the world is trying their best to pass off as truth. We must continue in the very things which we have learned and placed our confidence in. Paul encourages Timothy to, “…continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;” (2 Timothy 3:14).
He is letting young Timothy know that he must not only keep the faith, but he must also continue keeping the faith. Our actions should never be governed by those around us. We must be rooted, grounded, and unshakable in our stand for the truth. How will we be able to live according to the whole Word of God without wavering? It will require us to desire deeper understanding, greater wisdom, and divine knowledge which comes through fasting and prayer. How many of us are willing to launch out into the deep to follow Christ, to become fully submerged so that He can take us to higher heights and deeper depths than we have ever been before? Now is not the time to be complacent in our walk with the Lord. We must be found keeping the faith, not only during Christmas time, but each and every day that we are granted on this earth. Christ gave us His all, so I ask you, what are we willing to give during this season so that others may know the true meaning of Christmas?
Born to Die
Shepherds gaze in wonder
While angel voices sing.
The night of nights has come
And brought the world
The long-awaited King.
The earth is filled with gladness
And yet the heavens weep.
For heaven's eyes can see
He was born to die for me.
Jesus, baby Jesus,
Is that a tear in Your eye?
Jesus, sweet baby Jesus,
You must know
That You were born to die.
It must have broken God's heart
For the future He could see.
Yet He formed the hands
And feet knowing one day
They'd be nailed to a tree.
So all the world could know Him,
A gift came from above.
For God so loved the world
That He gave His only Son.
Jesus, baby Jesus,
With a tear of love in Your eye.
Jesus, sweet baby Jesus,
You knew You were born to die.
So, Jesus, thank You, Jesus,
For Your gift of eternal life.
My Jesus, Jesus,
‘Cause for me You were born to die.
Lyrics by Barbara Mandrell
