This is the third and last of my posts that I will be sharing for now. Actually, “Being Faithful” was the instigator for what led to my posts. Thank you for reading them. I hope you have been challenged, enlightened, or encouraged by them. Donna

Why is it important that we be a person of spiritual faith and be found faithful?

Let’s step back for a moment. In order to be faithful to God, we have an origin we must consider - that origin, is to have faith in God!

Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) states, “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” ‘Impossible’ in the Greek means, unable to be done. ’Faith’ pistis, as used in this verse means: the conviction that God exists and is the Creator and Ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ. When we accept personally that God exists, is the Creator and Ruler of and over all things, then we have faith! The added bountiful blessing to having faith in God, the Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit, comes when we accept the free gift of eternal salvation given through our acceptance of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

Without faith, we can never please God!

Galatians 2:16 reads, “knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.” ‘Justified’ is a legal term signifying to acquit, declare righteous, or show to be righteous. ‘Faith’, pistis, as used in this verse means: conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things including trust and holy fervor, born of faith and conjoined with it.

It is important for us to understand that no one can ever be '“good enough” to be declared righteous. Doing good things for others does not make you righteous. Being someone who has never stolen anything or murdered anyone does not make you righteous. Being a nice, kind, helpful person does not make you righteous. You can only be declared righteous by faith in Jesus Christ! Ephesians 2: 8 and 9 clearly states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

To enter into right relationship with God, we acknowledge God exists and that we are sinners (doing things that are apart from the will of God.). We confess and repent (turn away) from our sins, ask God to forgive us, and accept the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for us. After we have made this declaration of faith in God, we see that His desire for us is that we would be “faithful unto death”. (Revelation 2:10) To review, in case you have not read the 8/24/22 blog post, “Faithful to the End”… the word ‘faithful’ means to be loyal, reliable, steadfast (no matter what assails, or how hot the fire of persecution), remain unwavering in your commitment to Jesus Christ, be devoted, trustworthy, dependable, dedicated and constant. Matthew 24:45 and 46 (ESV) “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.” If you are faithful, you will carry out the Master’s wishes and commands. You will do His will.

Proverbs 20:6 presents an interesting question, “Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man?” Who can find a man who can be trusted, who is constant, and will stand committed to whatever they have been called to do?

Why would it be important for us to be faithful to the commitment we made to God in regard to the relationship we entered into with Him? What are some of the areas in which He calls for and expects us to be faithful?

As believers, we have been given the task of sharing the gospel or good news. In Isaiah 52:7 (NLT), “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!” We need to tell the good news, that Jesus came to save the lost, so that others would believe. In fact, Jesus commissioned the disciples to do just that in Mark 16:15 and 16, “And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Then we see it again, in what has come to be known as the ‘Great Commission’ in Matthew 28:19 and 20 (NLT), “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

When I was thirteen years old, my older sister, who had accepted Christ as her Savior, invited me to attend a church service where she knew I would hear the good news! I am pleased to say that at the end of the service, when the preacher asked if anyone would like to go forward to accept Christ, I knew I had to respond. The Spirit of God was drawing me! My life changed that night! I experienced a peace I had never known before. It was the beginning of my spiritual journey. I have many times, thanked the Lord for my sister, Sonnie, who was instrumental in my developing a personal intimate relationship with God.

Titus 2:7 and 8 indicates how young men showing their faithfulness are an example to others. Verse 7 “in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.”

We also see a wonderful example of the results of faithfulness being lived out in the lives of members of the church of the Thessalonians as we read in 1 Thessalonians 1:6-9, “And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. 9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” What an amazing account of faithfulness being lived out!

The following verses reveal the importance of our faithfulness being displayed, beginning at home. Psalm 78:1,4-8, “Give ear, O my people, to my law; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. ... 4 We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. 5 For He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers, That they should make them known to their children; 6 That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children, 7 That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments; 8 And may not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not set its heart aright, And whose spirit was not faithful to God.” Parents have a responsibility and obligation to be faithful in teaching their children to seek after and know God.

We can establish the direction of future generations with our faithfulness!

Most importantly, we need to be faithful because it is God’s desire that we do so.

What do we see the faithful doing? What do we need to do to be faithful? They will be in constant touch with God through prayer and studying the Scriptures. As those who are faithful, we need to nourish our own soul with words of faith and good doctrine. We need to practice godliness in our own life. We need to share the Good News.

Our example (display) of faithfulness should be an igniter for those around us to come into their own faith relationship with God.

The inspiration for these three blog posts, I have written, came from Steve Green’s song, “Find Us Faithful”

(Words and music by Jon Mohr)

Chorus: “Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful.

May the fire of our devotion light their way,

May the footprints that we leave,

Lead them to believe

And the lives we live inspire them to obey.

Verse 2 Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

Let us run the race not only for the prize,

But as those who’ve gone before us,

Let us leave to those behind us

The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives.

Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful.”

I can’t think of anything better than one day hearing the Lord say to me, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Be an example!

Be instrumental in someone developing a personal relationship with Christ!

Be reliable!

Be steadfast, no matter what!

Remain unwavering in your commitment to the Lord!

Be faithful!

Unless indicated otherwise, Scripture is New King James Version

NLT New Living Testament

ESV Eastern Standard Version