JESUS’ FAITHFULNESS
Faithfulness. We in the church measure faithfulness in many ways, and some of these ways are measured by what others see and do. For example, when I was growing up, sermons were preached time and again about the necessity of attendance to ALL SERVICES AND BIBLE CLASSES. This was one way we judged of faithfulness of the heart of a Christian. Another way to judge a person’s faithfulness was to see that they gave. (I heard a lot of preaching about these things growing up, and after some time I thought that this is what makes a Christian “faithful”). But these two items fall so far short of being faithful to God.
God wants faithfulness in our hearts – and wants to work with us as we try to share the gospel with others.
God wants faithfulness to worship so we can be encouraged after a hard week of dealing with problems and discouragements from the news, from family problems and the other things Satan throws at us, God has commanded us to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ (Hebrews 10:24-25).
God wants faithful hearts that see the needs of others in the church and outside the church. We are God’s hands, feet, ears, and eyes on this planet. Will we help with the physical needs, but even more importantly, will we do what we can to in whatever way we can to help people in their spiritual needs?
God wants faithful people that apply the Scripture to themselves first. Who will strive to live according to what our Lord has said and taught? HOPEFULLY ALL OF US WHEN WE CONSIDER THE AMAZING GRACE AND LOVE OF OUR LORD TO ALL OF US! Without God’s grace we are lost!
Now think about Jesus and how he showed us HOW TO LIVE A FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN LIFE. Notice Hebrews 3:1-2, “Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son.
FAITHFULNESS was a characteristic of Jesus. He was obedient to God’s word perfectly. This made him able to save us from our sins sin and understood how hard living a life for God is in a sinful world. He decided EACH DAY to carry out his Father’s will, and this led to faithfulness. When life comes at us – we must remember that we belong to God first, and whatever decision I make should be in accordance with what Jesus would do. God trusted Jesus to carry out His will because he did it faithfully. And we rejoice in this because it was from his FAITHFUL obedience that we can be saved from our sin.
JESUS NOT ONLY TAUGHT FAITHFULNESS, HE LIVED IT! In Luke 16:10-12 we read, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?”
We may show faithfulness in the things we perceive to be important, but we must have the understanding of Jesus in what HE CONSIDERS TO BE IMPORTANT! We often major in minors, and minor in majors. Jesus showed us what was important. In
Matthew 17:5 God said about Jesus …This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”
Jesus pleased God because of his faithfulness. He was faithful because of the unity and trust The Father, Son and Spirit have amongst themselves. They are one in purpose. Jesus FAITHFULLY carried out the Father’s will.
Are we thankful for the lessons Jesus lived in this world? Are we grateful for the example that he has set before us? He showed us that if we live for the Father’s will it may mean persecution and even death. In Jesus’ case, death on a cross was included. Persecution may well become a reality in our lives as we take the stand of faithfulness in this world. Is it worth it? YES!
So, using Jesus as the example (1 Peter 2:21) are we faithful?
