Back to the Bible Concerning Our Faithfulness to...
Back to the Bible Concerning Our Faithfulness to God
By Willie Alvarenga
INTRODUCTION
Revelation 2:10; 12:11; I Corinthians 15:58; II Timothy 4:7-8; Genesis 6:22. Each of these passages teach us about faithfulness; something every Christian must strive to practice. It is my prayer that all of us will consider the need to go back to the Bible concerning our faithfulness to God. Therefore, in this lesson, we will consider very carefully the following points:
1. Our present reality concerning faithfulness to God
2. The command to be faithful
3. The why of faithfulness
4. The how of faithfulness
Let us consider what the Bible teaches on the subject of faithfulness. May we remember that without faithfulness we will not be able to enter heaven some day (Hebrews 12:14). So, with this in mind, let us consider our first point:
OUR PRESENT REALITY CONCERNING FAITHFULNESS
What is our present reality concerning the church’s faithfulness to God? How faithful are we to God? How much do we strive to maintain our faithfulness to God in this world full of sin? Sadly to say, many today are not faithful to God. This horrible attitude happens in the area of worship, where many Christians forsake the assembling of ourselves together (Hebrews 10:25; Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:1-4). Many Christians prefer to go somewhere else, instead of coming together to worship God. On one occasion a father took his family to a baseball game. The following Sunday, the local preacher spoke to him and asked him why they were absent last Sunday. The father replied: “we went to a baseball game. But, don’t worry, as we were driving down to the park, I kept telling my kids that God is important and that we must obey him”. Sadly to say, this father was not being faithful to God in his example to his family.
Others are unfaithful in doctrine. Many have perverted the plan of salvation, the worship of the New Testament, and many other things that are being practice at this time by many congregations. Instead of being faithful, they have become disobedient like the people of Israel in the Old Testament.
Therefore, as we can see, many today are unfaithful to God. Why is this happening? Well, I believe that a lack of respect for the authority of the Scriptures causes people to become unfaithful. Also, a lack of reverence for God causes people to become unfaithful. May God help us to stay away from these sinful attitudes.
THE COMMAND TO BE FAITHFUL
There are many passages in the Bible that exhorts us to be faithful in all of our ways. It is imperative that we, as the people of God, consider very carefully what God says concerning faithfulness. Many of the passages already mentioned speak to the fact that we must be faithful to God.
1. He expects us to be faithful in His doctrine (I Corinthians 4:6; II John 9-11; Revelation 22:18-19; Colossians 3:17).
2. He expects us to be faithful in our worship to Him (John 4:23-24; Colossians 3:17).
3. He expects us to be faithful in our preaching of His Word (Jeremiah 23:28)
4. He expects us to be faithful in holiness (I Peter 1:15-18; Leviticus 11:44; Romans 13:14; Galatians 5:16; I Peter 2:11; I John 2:15-18; James 4:4)
5. He expects us to be faithful even in the midst of difficulties (Revelation 2:10; 3:5; Acts 8:4)
God expects His people to be faithful in all of their ways. We cannot share our faithfulness with God and Satan. Jesus said it very plainly: We cannot serve God and Satan (Matthew 6:24). Therefore, the command to be faithful can be seen very clearly in the pages of the Holy Book. Are we taking heed to these exhortations?
Now, with this in mind, let us take the time to consider another very important point: The why of faithfulness.
THE “WHY” OF FAITHFULNESS
Do we have any reasons in the Bible of why we must be faithful to God? I believe we have more than plenty of reasons why we must be faithful. Let us consider a few of these reasons:
1. We must be faithful to God because He deserves our faithfulness. Yes, God and Jesus deserve that we be faithful to them. They have done so much for us. God created this earth in which we live. He has given us everything that we need to live. One of the greatest manifestations of God’s love is His Son dying on the cross for all of us. Jesus suffered so much for you and for me. He went through many trials and suffering so that we may be able to have the hope of eternal life. Based on this, we must strive to be faithful to them. Therefore, God’s faithfulness to us should cause us to be faithful to Him. Are we faithful to God?
2. We must be faithful to God because our faithfulness helps us to bring others to Christ. Yes, our great example in faithfulness will help us to bring more people to our Savior, Jesus Christ. When people see Christ in our lives, they will want to be like Jesus. But, when we are not faithful to God; this will cause us to become a stumbling block to others. I know many non-Christians who will not obey the gospel of Christ because of Christian who are not faithful to God. They have become a bad example to others. Brethren, this is dangerous and could cause us to lose our soul in eternal punishment. God has commanded us to be good examples to others (I Timothy 4:12; Matthew 5:16). We cannot be the light of the world and the salt of the earth when we become unfaithful to God. Therefore, this is a great reason why we must be faithful to God. Our behavior can either help or avoid someone from entering heaven some day.
3. We must be faithful to God because our faithfulness will bring us great rewards. There are great rewards when we are faithful to God. Let us consider a few of these rewards:
1. We become great examples to others (Matthew 5:13-16).
2. God will be glorified through our faithfulness (Matthew 5:16).
3. We will be showing God that we love Him (John 14:15).
4. We will receive the crown of life and righteousness (II Timothy 4:7-8; James 2:12; Revelation 2:10).
5. Our names will be in the lamb’s book of Life (Revelation 20:14-15)
6. We will be in heaven some day (Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:8-9).
These are great rewards that could be ours if we strive to maintain faithfulness in our lives. Do you want these rewards? If so, please, may I encourage all of us to be faithful no matter what comes our way.
Now, let us consider for a few minutes the HOW of faithfulness.
THE “HOW” OF FAITHFULNESS
Is faithfulness possible for us as Christians? Can we live the Christian life the way God would have us to live? Now, even though some may say no, the Bible tells us that we can live faithfully, even though we live in a world that is under the wicked one (I John 5:19; Jeremiah 51:5). The apostle Paul told the Philippians that they could shine in a world full of darkness (Philippians 2:15). Notice what he wrote: “That you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world”. This passage tells us that we can practice faithfulness to God.
It is imperative that we remember that God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (II Peter 1:3). Therefore, being this the case, let us consider how you and I can remain faithful to God.
We can remain faithful to God by practicing the following:
1. By resisting the Devil (James 4:7).
2. By studying and practicing the Word of God (Psalm 119:9, 11; James 1:22).
3. By praying to God continually (Matthew 26:41; I Thessalonians 5:17)
4. By avoiding evil companions (I Corinthians 15:33; Proverbs 1:10)
5. By not loving the world (I John 2:15-17)
6. By keeping your mind busy on pure thoughts (Philippians 4:8)
7. By keeping in mind the terrible consequences of not being faithful (Romans 6:23)
I strongly believe that these principles, when practiced, can help us to be faithful to God. May I encourage all of us to consider and practice each one of them. Remember, this is the only way to make it to heaven.
CONCLUSION
In this lesson we have considered our present reality concerning faithfulness, the why of faithfulness and the how of faithfulness. It is my prayer that we carefully consider each of these points. It is my desire that all of us be in heaven some day. But, in order for this to take place, we must… “Be faithful unto death…” (Revelation 2:10). God bless us all to that end!