Faithfulness A. What Is Isn’t: Unfaithfulness is best defined as disobedience toward God. Often in Scripture we see this connection between disobedience and unfaithfulness, such as in this passage in 1 Chronicles: 1 Chronicles 10:13 Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance[.] Open disobedience is obviously a lack of faithfulness. But, probably more common amongst Christians is a more quiet half-heartedness in our obedience. We see God’s response to such unfaithfulness in the book of Malachi. God’s people were bringing Him half-hearted sacrifices – and God says this to them: Malachi 1:8 “When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the LORD Almighty. We know the answer. So, how would such unfaithfulness show itself in our lives? How about in putting off a project at work or a paper at school, then scrambling to do it the night before and handing in shoddy work? How about a parent who sometimes chooses not to discipline his child because it doesn’t seem to be having any effect, or because they’re too tired? Or the church member who smiles and waves at everyone on Sunday, but never really takes the time to get to know or to serve anyone? B. What It Is: “Loyal and dependable, and one can count on them to fulfill their responsibilities.” Biblical faithfulness is a determination to persevere in following God’s Word wholeheartedly, even if it costs our financial well-being, our reputation, or even our lives. Doesn’t this definition of faithfulness find its perfect example in Jesus Himself? He believed every word of His Heavenly Father was true and to be obeyed. And He persevered in following His Heavenly Father’s commands, all the way to the cross. Jesus knew that faithfulness to God would cost Him His very life, yet He said… Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” And, we are called to faithfulness because the God in whose image we are made is Himself perfectly faithful. In Psalm 89:2, the psalmist says, “I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.” God’s faithfulness is perfect. He always keeps His promises, always fulfills what He says He will do. This is the true faithfulness we are called to exhibit. C. How To Cultivate Faithfulness Firstly, meditate on Scripture. You can’t be faithful to God if you don’t know what He calls you to do and to be. Notice the connection between faithfulness and the study of God’s Word in Psalm 119:30: Psalm 119:30 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. And, meditating on Scripture reminds us of God’s faithfulness to us. We have so many of God’s already-fulfilled promises to read about in the Bible – these should give us heart, should lead us to trust and obey Him in response. Secondly, consider the connection between your personal faithfulness and the attractiveness of the gospel to unbelievers. If we say we are Christians yet lead unfaithful lives that look no different than the world around us, we are suggesting either that the gospel is unimportant to us, or that the gospel has no power to change us. We would rightly flinch if a believer said these things out loud; but, do our lives imply these statements due to a lack of faithfulness? Thirdly, looking forward to Christ’s imminent return should encourage faithfulness. In Matthew 24 Jesus connects faithfulness with obedience even while one’s master is away. Matthew 24:45-46 45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. If we are expectantly awaiting the return of Jesus, we will want to be found faithfully serving Him when He returns, which could be at any moment.
Posted on: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 03:03:44 +0000