Torah inside of the former Glockengasse Synagogue in Cologne (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Faithfulness
The first Christians worshiped God and lived as a holy community, conforming their character to the demands of Christ rather than Caesar. They didn’t purpose to turn the first century world upside down. They did so because of who they were.
This character-oriented perspective is totally foreign to our achievement oriented society, however, where we look at what people do rather than who they are…. Rarely do we hear believers say, “I decided to join this church because of its character as a holy community.” Nor do most choose a church on the basis of its capacity to disciple and equip them for ministry.
Yet that should be our very first consideration. If the church is the Body, the holly presence of Christ in the world, its most fundamental task is to build communities of holy character. And the first priority of those communities is to disciple men and women to maturity in Christ and then equip them to live their faith in every aspect of life and in every part of the world.
(From The Body by Charles Colson)
Numbers 12:7
But that is not how I communicate with my servant Moses. He is entrusted with my entire house.
Numbers 14:24
But my servant Caleb is different from the others. He has remained loyal to me, and I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will receive their full share of that land.
The fulfillment of this verse is recorded in Joshua 14:6-15 when Caleb received his inheritance in the Promised Land. Caleb followed God with all his heart and was rewarded for his obedience. Are you wholehearted in your commitment to obey God?
1 Kings 19:18
Yet I will preserve seven thousand others in Israel who have never bowed to Baal or kissed him!”
Nehemiah 7:2
I gave the responsibility of governing Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah, the commander of the fortress, for he was a faithful man who feared God more than most.
Faithfulness and fear of God were the key character traits that qualified these men to govern Jerusalem. Faithful people can be trusted to carry out their work; God-fearing people can be expected to do so in line with God’s priorities. These men had both qualities. If you are in a position of selecting leaders, look for faithfulness and reverence as two of the most important qualifications. Although other qualities may seem more impressive, faithfulness and reverence pass the test of time.
1 Corinthians 4:17
That is the very reason I am sending Timothy—to help you do this. For he is my beloved and trustworthy child in the Lord. He will remind you of what I teach about Christ Jesus in all the churches wherever I go.
Timothy had traveled with Paul on Paul’s second missionary journey (see Acts 16:1-3) and was a key person in the growth of the early church. Timothy probably did not deliver this letter to Corinth but more likely arrived there shortly after the letter came (see 16:10). Timothy’s role was to see that Paul’s advice was read and implemented. Then he was to return to Paul and report on the church’s progress.
Colossians 1:7
Epaphras, our much loved co-worker, was the one who brought you the Good News. He is Christ’s faithful servant, and he is helping us in your place.
HOW DO I CULTIVATE FAITHFULNESS?
2 KINGS 12:15
No accounting was required from the construction supervisors, because they were honest and faithful workers.
What a contrast between the workmen, who needed no accounting of their use of the money, and the priests, who couldn’t be trusted to handle their funds well enough to set some aside for the Temple (12:8). As trained men of God, the Levites should have been responsible and concerned. After all, the Temple was their life’s work. Though the priests were not dishonest, they did not have the commitment or energy needed to finish the work. Sometimes God’s work is better accomplished by devoted laypeople. Don’t let your lack of training or position stop you from contributing to God’s Kingdom. Everyone’s energy is needed to carry out God’s work.
DANIEL 6:4
Then the other administrators and princes began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling his affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize. He was faithful and honest and always responsible.
The jealous administrators and princes couldn’t find anything about Daniel’s life to criticize, so they attacked his religion. If you face jealous critics because of your faith, be glad they’re criticizing that part of your life—perhaps they had to focus on your religion as a last resort! Respond by continuing to believe and live as you should. Then remember that God is in control, fighting this battle for you.
Cultivate faithfulness by being honest and trustworthy.
DEUTERONOMY 28:9
“If you obey the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways, the LORD will establish you as his holy people as he solemnly promised to do.
Cultivate faithfulness by obeying God’s Word.
1 TIMOTHY 3:12
A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well.
Cultivate faithfulness by keeping your promises and commitments.
WHY SHOULD I BE FAITHFUL? SOCIETY TELLS ME I SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO WHAT I WANT.
PROVERBS 3:3-4
Never let loyalty and kindness get away from you! Wear them like a necklace; write them deep within your heart. 4 Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will gain a good reputation.
Loyalty and kindness are important character qualities. Both involve actions as well as attitudes. A loyal person acts responsibly. A kind person works for justice for others. Thoughts and words are not enough—our life reveals whether we are truly loyal and kind. Do your actions measure up to your attitudes?
Faithfulness brings a good reputation and trust from others.
RUTH 4:11
Then the leaders and all the people standing there replied, “We are witnesses! May the LORD make the woman who is now coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, from whom all the nation of Israel descended! May you be great in Ephrathah and famous in Bethlehem.
God chooses to accomplish great deeds through faithful people.
HEBREWS 3:14
For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.
Faithfulness brings eternal rewards.
IS GOD FAITHFUL?
PSALM 89:5;
All heaven will praise your miracles, LORD;
myriads of angels will praise you for your faithfulness.
DEUTERONOMY 7:9;
Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and constantly loves those who love him and obey his commands.
2 THESSALONIANS 3:3
3But the Lord is faithful; he will make you strong and guard you from the evil one.
God is completely faithful. His faithfulness is so great it makes the angels sing!
2 TIMOTHY 2:13
If we are unfaithful,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny himself.
Jesus is faithful. He will stay by our side even when we have endured so much that we seem to have no faith left. We may be faithless at times, but Jesus is faithful to his promise to be with us “to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Refusing Christ’s help will break our communication with God, but he will never turn his back on us even though we may turn our back on him.
When others are unfaithful to us, we remain faithful. Otherwise, we become as faithless as they are.
Promise from God:
Philippians 1:6
And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.
The God who began a good work within us continues it throughout our lifetime and will finish it when we meet him face to face. God’s work for us began when Christ died on the cross in our place. His work within us began when we first believed. Now the Holy Spirit lives in us, enabling us to be more like Christ every day. Paul is describing the process of Christian growth and maturity that began when we accepted Jesus and continues until Christ returns.
Do you sometimes feel as though you aren’t making progress in your spiritual life? When God starts a project, he completes it! As with the Philippians, God will help you grow in grace until he has completed his work in your life. When you are discouraged, remember that God won’t give up on you. He promises to finish the work he has begun. When you feel incomplete, unfinished, or distressed by your shortcomings, remember God’s promise and provision. Don’t let your present condition rob you of the joy of knowing Christ or keep you from growing closer to him.
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