The only way I can accept this, is if 'continuing to have faith' is to be considered a 'process'.
BINGO! Faith is something you ‘continue’ in it is not a one time momentary experience... I Corinthians 15... if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
Collosians 1 “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, “
If you continue in what you have heard...”