The word keep means to have and maintain possession of something. We like the idea of keeping what we have. Some people keep things to the point of being hoarders. They never get rid of anything. When we think of keeping something, we put all the emphasis on our ability to maintain control. However, there is a keeping where we are the ones being kept. That is the case in I Peter 1:5. The “kept” here in the Greek language, means to be held in protective custody. The tense of the verb means it is ongoing.
I Peter 1:5 “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
This same word is used in Philippians 4:7 where the peace of God is keeping us from anxiety. When we layout our request before God, he will guard our minds like a soldier guards a castle against intrusion.
Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Notice in I Peter 1:5, it is the power of God that keeps us. It is also the power of God that keeps us from anxiety in Philippians 4:7. Is this keeping totally up to God? Do we play any part in the situation? The word power here is “dunamis” from which we get the word dynamite! Our keeping does not depend on our perseverance but on God’s ability to keep us. However, we are kept through faith. His keeping is conditional based on our faith. We are kept based on our continued faith in Him.
In Colossians 1:22-23, we are told that Jesus will present us holy, blameless, and above reproach before God. Yet, the next sentence gives us a condition that we must keep. “IF” we will continue in the faith
Colossians 1:22-23 “In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;”
We are also being kept for the final salvation. The time when we will enter Heaven. A place that is prepared just for those who have kept the faith. This will be the ultimate deliverance from the wrath of God.
There are many good denominations that teach no matter what I do, once I have accepted Jesus as my Savior I will go to Heaven when I die. That sounds good and makes us feel good, but if I choose to deny Him and walk away from Him, I have not met the condition for His keeping. The bottom line is that I am kept by God, but it is based on the condition of my faith in Him.
Excellent