Live the Bible

Faithfulness today is sorely lacking in our society, and I am not just talking about infidelity.  Faithfulness is also about being loyal to one’s employer, friends and most importantly – God.

Some people jump from job to job hoping to find ways of making more money or gaining more power.  Very few are loyal to one’s employer in the sense of staying and learning the ropes or being committed in hard times like what we are facing now.  It takes time to gain experience and respect in one’s chosen profession.  If you stay loyal to your employer, chances are you will grow in your organization to the top position whereby you will gain the respect of your peers and become a very prominent person in society.  It just takes a little patience and hard work.

What about your friendships?  How many of you have trusted and loyal friends?  In the bible it states:

“There are friends who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.”  Proverbs 18:24

A true friend is one who is dependable, honest and not afraid to tell you the truth about yourself.  They tolerate your bad habits, stale jokes, keep your secrets and comfort you in times of need.  They stick with you in good and bad times.  This is a faithful friend.

Next we have infidelity.  Society is plagued by couples who don’t take their marriage vows seriously anymore.  You see it among the famous, politicians, and even those who are supposed to live by example – priests, pastors and other Christians.

This brings us now to faithfulness to God.  As Christians, we must remain faithful to God, because without Him or lives are meaningless.  Being a Christian does not mean our lives are free from problems.  We will have trials and face persecutions because of our belief, but we must endure.  There is no room for giving up because at the end of it all we will be rewarded for our faithfulness.

“Then you will be arrested, persecuted and killed.  You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to me.  And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other.  And many false prophets will appear and will lead many people astray.  Sin will be rampant everywhere and the love of many will grow cold.  But those who endure to the end will be saved.”  Matthew 24:9-13

You must be ready all the time.  For the Son of Man will come when least expected.  Who is a faithful, sensible servant, to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his household and feeding his family?  If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward.   I assure you, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. “  Matthew 24:44-47

But how can we ensure that we remain faithful to God?  Well, we must rely on Him and His faithfulness.  It is something we cannot do on our own.  With the help of God’s Spirit, we can become faithful, trustworthy and responsible individuals. 

To obtain God’s Spirit you must repent and be baptized.

“Each of you must turn to God, and be baptized in the name of the Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.  Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  Acts 2:38

Over a period of time, you will see changes within yourself as the Spirit works in you.  You will then start producing fruit of the Spirit, of which faithfulness is an attribute.

“But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”  Galatians 5:22-23.

God will always remain faithful to his servants and with His Spirit, we should be faithful and trustworthy, not only to Him, but to our fellowman.  We must love, another attribute of God’s Spirit, and by extension love will help us to be faithful. 

Let us look forward to that day when Jesus Christ will return and tell us:

“Well done, my good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities.  Let’s celebrate together!”  Matthew 25:21