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“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
(1Cor.4:2)
A revealing experience:
When I was doing my military service a little while after World War II, I was an
officer and had under my orders a certain number of soldiers. I was assigned to
a highly important and critical post. Among my soldiers, there was a whole range
of personalities: Extremely intelligent, educated and able soldiers as well as
soldiers with low mental and physical capacities. I was in need of good
collaborators! It was completely normal for me to choose from among them the
most intelligent and able soldiers to help me to carry out my duties.
Disappointment did not take long to come… They did not obey my orders as they
ought to but they tried to avoid or escape from doing their duties; and, even if
they obeyed, they murmured and did what I had ordered them to do in their own
way and not exactly what they were ordered to do. The repetition of my
instructions and, in certain cases my threats, did not bring any true
improvement. Desperate, I had to ask for help from a soldier who looked like an
idiot! I do not exaggerate! I spent hours to explain to him what he was required
to do… Satisfaction did not take long to arrive… My heart found rest, not only
because he obeyed and was a disciplined man but also because he was doing his
duty with eagerness and pleasure! This soldier became, after a little while,
“my right hand”. He was doing whatever I was asking him to do and he
respected all his promises…
I, as a young man but also as a young Christian, I learned an unforgettable
lesson! I understood Jesus-Christ’s “mentality” concerning absolute obedience
and discipline which He required from His apostles and from all those who would
want to follow Him! In a word, faithfulness! Since then, this word
became very dear to me! Later, the Spirit of God consolidated this lesson in me
by the following verses: “My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land, that
they may dwell with me: he that walks in a perfect way,
he shall serve me. He that works deceit shall not dwell within my house:
he that tells lies shall not tarry in my sight.” (Ps.101:6-7).
To obey is better than sacrifice:
The principal ingredient of faithfulness, in the Christian context, is voluntary
obedience and fear of God: “I delight to do your will, O my God: yes, your
law is within my heart.” (Ps.40:8). The Bible also says: “… Behold,
to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen
than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and
stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of
the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king.”
(1Sam.15:22-23).
Paul speaking about Titus, he tells the Corinthians that his inward affection
was more abundant toward them, when he remembered the obedience of them all, how
with fear and trembling they received him and that he
rejoiced that he had confidence in them in all things (2Cor.7:15-16).
The first and the best examples of
faithfulness were given to us by Jesus-Christ who was “…a merciful and
faithful high priest in things pertaining to God,
to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” (Héb.2:17). The faithful
God appointed Moses who was faithful in all his house (Héb.3:2). One
faithful appoints another faithful…
God appoints men who are faithful and prudent servants… Unfortunately, men often
appoint people who are neither faithful nor wise… (Mt.24:45). God,
nevertheless, enters the heart and the house of those who are faithful…
(Ac.16:15). God’s faithfulness constitutes a multiple guarantee: God will not
suffer that we be tempted above that we are able… (1Cor.10:13), our
protection and our spiritual reinforcement are assured (2Thes.3:3) and
God will accomplish His promises in our life…
My intention is not to refer to
Jesus-Christ’s faithfulness, which is well-known and
established or even to the faithfulness of God the Father who keeps His
word and who is “merciful
and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth”
(Ex.34:6).
I would like, however, to mention certain characteristics or attributes of God
in order to understand better the continuation of this message: The word of the
LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth (Ps.33:4).
His kindness and His faithfulness keep, guide and
watch always all those who love him and keep his commandments
(De.7:9). When God finds someone who is faithful, He makes a covenant
with him relating to His promises for him as well as for his posterity… Yes, the
blessings of God are on those who keep His
covenant and accomplish His commandments… (Néh.9:8; Ps.103:18;
Ezé.17:14). God’s mercy and faithfulness go together (Ps.85:10; Ps.89:14).
He sends mercy and faithfulness… to exalt the name of His servants…
(Ps.89:24). His faithfulness lasts from generation to generation (Ps.100:5).
The glory of God is due to His mercy and faithfulness… (Ps.115:1).
By faithfulness He humbles us, He wounds us and He
chastises us (Ps.119:75; Pr.27:6). God’s faithfulness and His
compassions are new every morning on account of His mercy (Lam.3:23). He
has sworn His faithfulness (Eze.16:8 and Mic.7:20). Our unbelief
cannot make God’s faithfulness of no effect! (Rom.3:3). If we
believe not, yet he stays faithful: he cannot deny himself (2Tim.2:13).
What consolation and what encouragement! Conclusion: God keeps His word, His
mercy, His promises and His “conventions”.
What about us?
What is the spiritual condition of those who lack faithfulness?
The goal of God with regard to His children:
God’s purpose with regard to His children is their sanctification, namely the
formation in them of a character which resembles that of Jesus by the continual
renewal of their inner being. During the period of their progressive renewal God
enjoins them to work together or separately to proclaim the Gospel of His grace
and to share with their neighbors and their close relations the salvation that
God has operated in their life. To accomplish it, it takes “faithfulness”
which is but honesty, constancy and assurance. It is the characteristic key of
the man who is worthy of confidence. It is a virtue of God
himself, which must be reflected in the life of His people. Faithfulness
is one of the components of the fruit of the Spirit… (Gal.5:22).
Faithfulness is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit but it is
at the same time the product of the collaboration of
man with God:
“Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each
other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down
from heaven. Yes, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall
yield her increase.”
(Ps.85:10-12). Yes, faithfulness springs out of the earth (from man), when man
is thirsty to be taught the ways of God and when he asks Him to put His
fear in His heart and for His name! Then, God helps him
to walk in justice, in faithfulness and in happiness
(Ps.86:11) and, in a word, in salvation (85:9).
God remains faithful, inalterable,
independently of what occurs in us and in our behavior. His love is
unconditional and His faithfulness immutable in spite of our lack of faith!
·
“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore you sons of Jacob are not consumed.”
(Mal.3:6) and
·
“If we believe not, yet he stays faithful: he cannot deny himself.”
(2Tim.2:13)
Importance of faithfulness:
Faithfulness is a subject of great importance. The reward for the observance of
this command is great. God has promised that to him that orders his
conversation aright will He show the salvation of God (Ps.50:23). He will
not only show them
the content of
His salvation but He will also save them perfectly. God gives the same promise
to the man who has set all his love on Him (Ps.91:14-15).
When one “analyzes” this great virtue,
one notes that it is closely dependent or identical to scrupulous
obedience in all the things of great or less importance. Faithfulness in
small things is a great thing! Without consistency, without continuance, there
is no moral power. It always should be remembered that what counts is not the
number of spiritual exploits that we have made, the multitude of testimonies we
have given, the number of sermons we have preached, the number of NTs we have
distributed, the number of members of our churches to whom we have preached
etc., but it is the moral quality of those who are called
“children of God”. This is what counts… It is the quality of the apostles and
the first Christians who turnedd
the world upside down to the point of “subjugating” the Roman Empire!!!
Conclusion: The notion of
faithfulness is identical to that of the diligence with which somebody does his
duty, whether it has to do with doing something or even with accepting or
undergoing a situation. The faithful man is he that obeys promptly the
commandments of God, by which he purifies his ways, puts in order his activities
and who hastens promptly to conform to all that is right, true and acceptable.
In other words, it is the man who keeps a good and pure conscience. It is the
man who acts with “integrity of heart”…
What God asks us, in general:
God asks us to be faithful in all things, He expects us in particular:
·
to walk according to the light that we have:
That is quite clear according to verses Luc 12:47 - 48: “And that servant,
which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did
according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not,
and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For
to whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have
committed much, of him they will ask the more.” Our responsibility becomes
all the more great as the light and/or the gifts that we have are greater.
“Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is
sin.”, says the apostle James (4:17). Do we walk according to the light and
the instructions which we have received? Do we repent from the sins we have
committed? Do we live in a state of spiritual indifference? Do we answer
positively to the “protests” of our conscience and/or of the Holy Spirit?
·
To be faithful to death:
“…be you faithful to death, and I will
give you a crown of life.”
(Rev.2:10b). Jesus-Christ said: “If any man come to me, and hate not his
father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, yes,
and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not bear
his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” (Luc 14:26-27).
The Lord Jesus requires the first place in our heart
and our life!!! He requires a perfect obedience!!!
·
To purify our souls more and more in obeying the truth:
“Seeing you have purified your souls
in obeying the truth through the Spirit to
unfeigned love of the brothers, see that you love one another with a pure heart
fervently:”
(1Pet.1:22). Also, the Psalmist says: “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse
his way? by taking heed thereto according to your word.” (119:9). And “If
a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honor,
sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared to every good work.”
(2Tim.2:21). The vase of honor is the man who is pure in his life and in whose
life God has worked the work of His salvation and His power.
·
To bring forth fruit that remains:
“You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you
should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain…”
(Joh.15:16)
Characteristics of a faithful man:
In order to be able to judge or better
discern ourselves, we will examine more closely the essential characteristics of
the faithful man. It is, however, necessary to make a distinction between man’s
faithfulness towards GOD and that towards
The man who is faithful:
1.
Confesses, rejects and gives up all sin or weaknesses and tries to always keep a
pure conscience.
The Word says to us: “Having therefore
these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness
of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
(2Cor.7:1);
2.
Does not remain double minded and unstable:
If he does not have light with regard to the things which he should do, he takes
care to do whatever is necessary to get it. He seeks it like a true contractor,
with ingeniousness, to find the means and the methods to acquire it. It is then
that he will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. It
is only then that the Lord will give him wisdom (Pr.2:4-8). He does not wait
until the light is given to him on several occasions to act but he
obeys promptly the light he receives. As soon as it has the certainty,
he obeys without delaying. Deferred obedience is equal to disobedience. If your
heart wants to pay attention, to obey and to conform to God’s requirements, God
will bring you to what your heart desires. The prophet Isaiah describes
magnificently the case and the consequences of people who do not obey
immediately and whom God is obliged to make pass, on several occasions, from the
same painful experiences until they awake…: “O that (if) you
had listened to my commandments! then had your peace been as a river,
and your righteousness as the waves of the sea” (Esa.48:18)
3.
His faithfulness is not only for his own things but also for things that do not
belong to him.
Here is the proof from the Word of God:
“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he
that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore you have not
been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true
riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who
shall give you that which is your own?” (Lu.16:10‑12).
Faithfulness in few things brings faithful men to many
things… What a principle! It can make us prophets… for the
evolution of somebody or of a situation! I remember the advice that my wife gave
me when I was helping an American Pastor in a church in Greece: “You must
move away from this man. He lies for the businesses of his church; he gives
false reports to his superiors: He tells them that the number of the people who
are present in the church is greater than it actually is; do not trust him; if
he is not faithful in these little
things, how much more will he not be in other things, which are of greater
importance to him! Wait and the contents of his heart will be revealed.”
And, they, unfortunately, were revealed!
A faithful man lives and acts as Joseph
acted towards the house of Potiphar… (Gen.39:6). When somebody is faithful,
other people cannot exert a control on him because they rely on him… (2Rois 1:2,
15; 2Chr. 34:1, 12; Neh.13:13; Dan.6:4; Héb.3:5). Matthieu quotes a word that
the Lord Jesus pronounced: “… Well done, you good and faithful servant: you
have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things:
enter you into the joy of your lord.” (25:21).
When somebody is faithful, like Daniel, people cannot exert a control on him
(Daniel 6:4). Our spiritual future depends on
our faithfulness. God will add all His blessings to all those who
keep with all their heart and diligently His commandments according to the
light that they have or that they receive.
A short parenthesis:
Let us not forget that it is possible to do what is right but without your heart
being honest and given to the Lord. You can give your money to somebody who is
in need, either by love or to be seen by Mr. Toutlemonde or by spirit of
revenge. The fact that you are faithful in great things does not mean that you
will be faithful with regard to the least things. Very often, we try to be or
rather seem faithful in great things because we do not want to expose ourselves
neither to other people nor in our own eyes. However, it is the little things –
the many little things – which reveal our character and our personality. In
fact, the little bad things which like small foxes, “destroy the vineyards”:
“Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have
tender grapes.” (So.2:15).
4.
He makes good use of the gifts and the ministries that God entrusted to him:
He uses them, even if they are small,
and do not seem to have a great importance. He
does not hide his
spiritual gift and/or his talent in the ground (Mt.25:25) and he
does not neglect
them
(1Tim.4:14) but
quite to the contrary he
stirs them up
(2Tim.1:6) and,
like a good steward of God, he
puts
them
at the service of
others
(1Pet.4:10) for the glory of God. Unfortunately, there are Christians and even
workers of God who are
“wicked and slothful”,
or who have a
“spirit of fear”…
or of
“shame of the testimony of our Lord”…
and who do not want to become
‘partakers of the afflictions of the
Gospel’.
Yes, who are lazy and fearful! Who do not want even to read the Word of God and
to tire themselves for God’s businesses. Yes, who are afraid to face the
hostility of unbelievers or of other hostile beliefs. Yes, who feel ashamed of
giving their testimony in order “not to be ridiculed” or to be regarded as
fanatics or fundamentalists! Yes, who do not want to suffer because of the
Gospel and be persecuted in various manners…
5.
He knows well that he was purchased with a great price, by the invaluable blood
of Jesus.
He knows well that his life does not belong
to him. As a good and faithful steward, he uses the manifold grace he has to the
profit of others (1Pie.4:10), having always in mind
that he will be called one day to give account whether he has used usefully what
God has entrusted him until He comes again! (Luke 19:13). Paul, in
his epistle to the Corinthians, says that: “Moreover
it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
(1.4:2). Consequently, all that God requires of us is faithfulness. Faithfulness
towards God and consequently towards men is our very first obligation in all
that we have to do in the service of the Gospel;
6.
He does not refuse to do good to those to whom it is due when it is in his power
to do it.
He does not say to his neighbor:
Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give you while he has it by him
(Pr.3:23-24); he gives to the poor and to needy ones; he gives for the promotion
of the work of God; and he gives of his time and accepts to leave the
“comfort zone”. He spends his energy in praying for other people’s
salvation, for their needs, for their healing etc.
7.
He keeps his promises and his commitments.
He does not
change even if he has made an oath to his own hurt! Yes, he always speaks
“the truth in its heart”
(Ps.15:2-4). How it is, however, sad to see Christians and even workers of the
Word think one thing, say another thing and do a third thing… Somebody said:
“There is a thing which you can give and yet keep it, it is your word”.
How sad it is to see Christians who use the law or certain regulations for their
own interest or to impose their will even if certain man-made regulations
transgress the will of God. Also, he who is faithful does not leave his wife,
without reason based on the Bible, in order to marry another woman.
8.
He does not reveal or spread the secrets of others
(Pr.11:13) but he gets reconciled with
his adversary speedily
and especially
when there is a disagreement with his brother: “Therefore if you bring your
gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has ought against you;
leave there your gift before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to
your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary
quickly,
whiles you are in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver you
to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into
prison.”
If not, there will be undesirable consequences…
(Mt.5:23‑25). This is a very delicate subject! Who is the offender? Who has to
take the first step? Is the thing committed against you real or is just in your
imagination? What is necessary to do when the supposedly offended does not
accept the explanations? One thing is sure and certain: It is necessary to try
hard humbly, patiently and with gentleness to endeavor to keep the unity of the
Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph.4:3);
9.
He does not neglect opportunities that God gives him and he does not live in
disorder:
The first thing to do is “to exploit”, in the good sense, to give his testimony
and to sow the Word of God; in addition, he does tolerate disorder in his
conscience and his work or activities. (Pr.24:30‑34). And in closing this point,
it is necessary to remember the principle of paramount importance which is
written in Psalm 50:23: “…and to him that orders
his conversation aright (puts order in his life)
will I show the salvation of God.”
On the contrary, he does not lose his opportunities but he makes full use
of his time. He redeems the time,
because the days are evil
(Eph.5:16). He repurchases his
time because the days are bad; he tries to know the things which belong to his
peace before they are hidden from his eyes
(Lu.19:42).
10.
When he passes through crises he takes care to judge and discern himself, repent
and be converted.
In times of crises,
he immediately takes care
to “resign”, obey and to commit himself…
Faithfulness is seen and is proven
at the time of crises: The faithful man
– without being obstinate – does not accept doubtful compromises
because he is not interested in the results for his personal gain but he is
interested in the faithful observance of the will of God. His interest is not
directed towards the solutions of opportunity but towards the solutions
of principle. He prefers that all be lost except his Christian honor. He is
only interested to be, as an American Pastor said: “Faithful to faith,
faithful to fight and faithful to finish.” This is the reason why God
will give him at the end the crown of justice (2Tim.4:8).
At the time of crises those who are not faithful
escape… (1Joh.2:19;
Marc 4:17; Luc 8:13). On the contrary, kindness and faithfulness keep the man…
11.
The faithful man does not glorify himself for his kindness but in God and
persists to do good.
Most men will proclaim everyone his own goodness, but a faithful man, who can
find? (Pr.20:6). What a truth! What a
terrible deficiency of faithful men! Many pastors withdraw from the ministry and
many Christians sign papers/contracts with God and before God within
organizations or associations in order to serve Him and yet they neglect or give
up completely their duty! How does God see them? And what is going to be their
end? The faithful man admits and glorifies himself humbly that it is God that
has saved him, it is God who has sanctified him and that it is God who has
filled him with His Holy Spirit.
12.
He does not do his work with negligence but
with diligence.
Jeremiah said: “Cursed be he that does
the work of the LORD deceitfully… (Gr.,Darby,
13.
The faithful man and, in particular, the Christian man is a
faithful man who fears God above many and is, for this
reason, better than many
(Neh.7:2). The fear of God, integrity and faithfulness go together… (Esa.38:3).
In the Bible, we often see the title “faithful minister” or “faithful witness”,
for example, for Tychique, Moses and others. It
is a title of honor and nobility: That which maketh a man to be
desired (what attracts in a man) is his kindness;… (Gr.,
14.
Faithful men become men able to instruct others the Word…
Paul, by giving pastoral instructions to
Timothy, his beloved collaborator, ordered him: “And the things that you have
heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit
you to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
(2Tim.2:2). One of the reasons for which faithful men are suitable and able to
teach is because they obey the commandments of God:
a)
To meditate on the Word day and night (Jos.1:8; Ps.1:2) and
b)
Because the Word of Christ dwells in them richly in all wisdom (Col.3:16).
How sad it is to see
Christians who want to become workers of God or elders of the church while they
do not really know the Bible, who are not able to teach, who do not have a
spiritual mentality… and who are not able to help spiritually those who are in
problems, in dilemmas and in afflictions by giving them wise and biblical
advice! And much more when God’s workers who do not have a true capacity to
instruct believers both with a correct and
balanced teaching and, above all else, a
holy life!!!
15.
Faithful men are worthy of being trusted and are able to help those who are in
perplexity…
They are “seers” to whom they can open
their heart!
People must give their heart only to God and open their heart if God guides
them to people who are faithful ‘seers’… worthy of confidence… whose spirit
is steadfast with God (Ps.78:8), who do not lie (Pr.14:5) and who do not reveal
secrets of others.
A SERIOUS OBJECTION:
You may probably ask me the question: Is it possible to obey PERFECTLY? The
answer is NOT, because we are imperfect beings, BUT, what counts is our
perfect desire to obey!!! What counts is to
leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ and go on to perfection
(Héb.6:1). What counts is our perfect will,
strongly aspiring to obey Him perfectly. It is this element that will be
taken into account by Christ who obeyed PERFECTLY the divine law for our account
so that all the blessings could come on us. It is our choice; it is the
position of our heart that counts. “Keep your heart
with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
(Pr.4:23).
An obedience like that of the Law of Moses will kill us but our obedience in the
spirit in the New Testament, based on REPENTANCE
and CONFIDENCE, will vivify us. For this reason, God says to me
and to you: “My son, give me your heart, and let
your eyes observe my ways.” (Pr.23:26). It is
always possible for your heart to will to
follow Him perfectly and to will to do His will under all circumstances
with faithfulness up to death! (Apo.2:10). When I say “to will” I
want to say to will and not simply to wish or to desire. “To
will” leads to action…
CONSEQUENCES:
Positive:
With regard to an unbeliever:
If he obeys the light, which he receives concerning Jesus-Christ, God
will bring him to salvation and if he insists in this way He will reveal in his
life all the wealth of his salvation and the spiritual heritage, which awaits
him… With regard to believers who
keep the word of His patience in Him (Apo.3:8, 10), God will give them favor and
power; God will set before them open doors, and no man will be able to shut
them…; power to counter their enemies, power to do their duty and elimination of
obstacles, authority, assurance and boldness and, in particular, great faith!
God will protect them from temptations. He will give them the victory and will
make them pillars in the church of God; He will not allow anyone to take their
crown. Their spiritual progress will be manifest to all. God will give them
more, especially light and blessings. Finally, a faithful man, without
realizing, exerts an indirect judgment on others who are not faithful to their
duties and their commitment, whether oral or written, official or unofficial. He
contributes by his behavior to the edification of others, he leaves a good
memory from everywhere he passes and he “diffuses” credibility. He
refreshes other people’s souls! (Pr.25:13).
Negative:
If man does not want to use the light that he has received, it will be
transformed into darkness, he will become weak, poor and tardy and finally he
will receive many blows! God does not take pleasure in those who
withdraw…: “And my Juste will live by the faith; but, if it is
withdrawn, my heart does not take pleasure in him…” (Héb.10:38, 39). It
is not me who says that but it is God. Many Christians, because of lack of
faithfulness, lose their initial zeal and fall into a state of nonchalance.
The only method to be saved from this situation and to develop spiritually is
“repentance” and the faithful
implementation of God’s instructions. God, if we
do not make good use of what we have been entrusted with, He removes it…
(Mat.25:24) because we are deprived of faithfulness…
At the time of crises, those
who are not faithful leave and flee:
“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us,
they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might
be made manifest that they were not all of us.”
(1Jo.2:19).
Those who are not faithful are condemned to withdraw unless they repent…
Let us pay attention to the verse: “And
you, Solomon my son, know you the God of your father, and serve him with a
perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searches all hearts, and
understands all the imaginations of the thoughts: if you seek him, he will be
found of you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off for ever.”
(1Chr.28:9).
What a verse and of what importance!
The key to all success…
Of course, let us not forget that there
are people who do what is right, but not with a perfect heart (2Chr.25:2).
Therefore, it is possible to do what is right but not with a perfect heart
before God! On the contrary, he who is faithful acts wisely in a perfect
way and does what he does with integrity of heart… (Ps.101:2)
HOW TO ACQUIRE THIS
Christ keeps His mercy, His word, His promises and His commitments… All He says
is like an oath… If we believe not, yet he stays faithful: he cannot deny
himself. (2Tim.2:13). Here is the reason for which we should not doubt… If
we want to resemble Him, we should know that
faithfulness, although related to faith, is fundamentally bound to the fear of
God. The Word of God says: “Now
therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth…”.
This word means: It is the fear of God which
leads to integrity and faithfulness of heart… (Jos.24:14;
2Chr.19:9)
He who fears God does not leave his conscience in
disorder, because he always lives awaiting, from moment to moment, the visit of
the Great Inspector! A heart fearing God, which has put its love in Him and His
will, is ready to accept and obey under
all circumstances (Néh.7:2). “Therefore we ought to give the
more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should
let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every
transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how
shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began
to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by them that heard him”
(Héb.2:1-3)
Let us make introspection! How have we
walked up to this date? We thank God for what we are, but let us recognize
humbly that there are enormous possibilities for the future. The days of
the end approach. It is necessary to be faithful, making full use of our time
and our possibilities. The fear of God is the key to faithfulness in all the
situations. Our responsibility is great and let
us not forget that we will have to give an account some day before God our
Father. Can we achieve this goal if there is a lack of
faithfulness with regard to our commitments and promises? How can a man
have great faith when he has a small faithfulness? If we are not faithful in our
commitments in little things, how can God entrust us with greater things?
He asks us to always do what is possible to us, all that is
really possible to us, everywhere and in all
circumstances favorable or unfavorable! Yes, God looks for a
heart perfectly directed towards Him.
Let us humble ourselves and obey Paul’s exhortation to the Romans: “I beseech
you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And
be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of
God.” (Rom.12:1-2). GOD who calls us to this life of faithfulness it is HE
who will do it, who will accomplish it!!! Let us say
YES to all that He wants to do in us and
through us, let us trust ourselves to Him and He will do it!
John BALTATZIS
www.sporeas.com
www.sporeas.gr
www.sporeas.eu
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