Choosing to be Faithful or Unfaithful

BIBLE BITES

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Choosing to be Faithful or Unfaithful

“I can’t wrap my head around it. Josh has been through practically everything in life. It boggles my mind how he keeps going on. And yet, he’s there every Sunday and not just on Sunday morning’s only. He’s there for the Lord’s Supper; there for the teaching session; there for the preaching of the Gospel. You can always count on him to be there for the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible Study. And if there is anything else going on – he’s there! Just after he had the motor job done on his car, he wrote it off in an accident. He’s had major family disappointments. His company was downsized and he lost his job. Oh yes, and there are the frequent migraines and, well, the list goes on – it’s a long one. But......BUT he is still worshipping, praying, contributing to Bible Studies, singing and participating 100%.”

What’s the difference between Josh and other Christians who are hit and miss in the spiritual responsibilities and spotty in their attendance? Why can you always count on Josh when others only show up maybe two times a month at the Lord’s Supper and rarely return for the Gospel meeting – not to mention their lack of participation in Children’s work or the prison ministry or the Bible Study? Oh yes, they are officially listed in the directory of Christians produced by the local assembly once a year. But the sightings are sporadic at best – even rare.

The difference can be summarized in a one line response: Josh has chosen to be faithful. Being a faithful Christian is a choice. Faithfulness doesn’t just ‘happen’ based on circumstances. It only happens when the Christian chooses to be faithful. You choose to be faithful or unfaithful. You don’t believe people choose to be unfaithful? Every time a Christian chooses to not live up to their responsibilities, they are making a definite choice. They are being faithful to themselves, pleasing themselves and unfaithful to the Lord. Sadly, we have all experienced some of that in our lives!

I have chosen the way of faithfulness;

I set your rules before me. I cling to your testimonies, O LORD;

... Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes;

and I will keep it to the end.

(Psalm 119:30-33)

When you stand before Christ at the Judgment Seat of Christ (Bema) which description would you like to carry with you into eternity – faithful or unfaithful? Faithful and committed believers, who can be counted on and relied upon to shoulder their spiritual responsibilities have made a choice to live that way.

Think of these references: “God is faithful.” (1Cor.1:9; 10:13,18) “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” (1Thess.5:24); “The Lord is faithful.” (2Thess.3:3); “If we are faithless, He remains faithful.” (2Tim.2:13); He’s a “merciful and faithful High Priest.” (Heb. 2:17); “Christ is faithful.” (Heb.3:6); Our “faithful Creator.” (1Pet. 4:19) “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” (1John 1:9), etc. Study faithfulness in your New Testament.

Is there any good reason for me to choose anything else in life - other than ‘faithfulness’?

Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today,

Peter Ramsay

peter@heaven4sure.com

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