"Keeping the Faith!"

 "A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;" (Ecclesiastes 3:6 KJV)

  "Think back in those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever." (Hebrews 10:32-34 NLT)

 Looking back, the word for "get" is one that is a verb, which has the action of, "to," as in "to seek, to require, to desire". In other words, it is something that you reach for, and pray for, and seek after! At the same time, as if time has anything to do with time, you are losing more and more interest with the things of this world, because "lose" is a world that means, "to cause to perish," as if you put it to death. 

 With that, we have a little different observation, which has a little more bite, as in, you actually do more to protect and secure that which is important and matters the most: your eternal life! You absolutely must do all that you can to stand your ground; especially in this current culture that we are living in, because it is only going to get worse and worse! 

 This word, "Keep," (which I have capitalized because it is important,) is a word that means to guard, to observe, and to give heed to; much to do with saving a life, keeping watch, and protecting. This world will try to destroy your faith, but you must be vigilant to protect and guard your heart; doing all that you can to keep your eyes fixed upon the prize, which is Heaven! 

 Well, as deep as that might be, "to cast away" is deeper! Not only do you need to protect that which you have, you need to cast off all that is trying to drag you into the pit, figuratively speaking...

 "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare and not carnal but mighty in God for the pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 Corinthians 10:3-6 NKJV)