I believe there are many in the body of
Christ who truly are not bound to anything on this earth. You could take away
their house, bank account, job or business - everything but the clothes on
their back - and yet still they would love God with all their heart. Does that
mean they are faithful…?
Faithfulness to God does not just mean a
willingness to lose everything for His sake. In fact, Bible says you can give your
body to be burned at the stake as a testimony, but without the proper motive -
without love in your heart - you will die in vain (see 1 Corinthians 13:3).
Some think of faithfulness as simply living
without lust and getting victory over sinful habits. Others think it means
being constant in Bible reading, prayer, giving and church attendance. Still
others think of it as going about doing good works, or keeping pure by avoiding
all that is evil and wicked. But these things can never make us faithful to
God.
You ask, "Do you mean all my striving
against sin, all my sanctified service to God and crying out in prayer are not
considered faithfulness? If that isn't being faithful, what is?"
All these wonderful things indeed are
commanded by the Word - and we will do them if we are faithful. But they in
themselves are not the essence of faithfulness. You see, faithfulness to God is
impossible unless it springs from a TRUSTING and BELIEVING heart!
“For good news came to us just as to them,
but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united
by faith with those who listened. (Hebrews 4:2, ESV)”
This does not mean that living without lust,
getting victory over sinful habits, constant Bible reading, prayer, church
attendance, doing good works, etc. are not needful. They are… but without
trusting and obeying Him, then we “did not benefit” from them and thus, not
faithful to Him, period!
The dictionary definitions of faithful is “unwavering
in belief: believing firmly in something or somebody, especially a religion or
a political doctrine”.
Thus, anytime we have a slight doubt in what
God has said he will do, when we question his ability to deliver as He has
promised, when we question his existence, we are moving away from Him.
“So watch your step, friends. Make sure
there's no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off
course, diverting you from the living God. (Hebrews 3:12, MSG)”
It will not be very easy and simple especially
in difficult and trying times but… “Let us then with confidence draw near to
the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time
of need. (Hebrews 4:16, ESV)”
My dear, this message is timely.We have blocked our minds by an illusion that our activities in church or for God make us faithful. Yet when we gather we murmur, complain of how the church is not doing what it ought to to do, and sometimes forget to prayer for it. We are only fervent in prayers for ourselves. Many times , we pray to God on a matter, the next moment we exercise faithlessness by taking decisions as If God will not answer our prayers; perhaps we're implying He's too slow. I'm honestly tired of the lip-service and hipocrisy.I really need help, don't wanna miss heaven due to these and many more illusions and disillusions
ReplyDeleteSomeone said Faith is taking a step when you can see the staircase. On the other hand , another person May see that move as stupidity cum madness. Does God expect us to be mad and radical in serving Him? Would that amount to faithlessness? I know some men who've been 'mad' , 'stupid' If you may, and guess what? God counted it to them for righteousness. Stop pretending you don't remember Abraham. When I think about it I still marvel.How can a man embark on a journey not knowing where he 's headed,only trustting a being He & even his father had never seen. That was a 'MAD' move and hey! God counted it as righteousness. I'm overwhelmed with emotion right now. Am I faithful to this God I claim to love so much? Can I trust Him as a child would, Absolutely? I guess you can't answer for me, but a soul-search is order.You do yours, forget the routine of church cos in the end,its not about where you worship, but Who you worship and how
ReplyDelete