THINGS WE MUST TRULY APPRECIATE TO BE FAITHFUL (1)

Victor M. Eskew

 

            One of the most important qualities of a Christian is faithfulness.  It is so important that many have attached Revelation 2:10 to the steps of the gospel plan of salvation.  John writes:  “…be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of righteousness.”  There are numerous passages, however, that emphasize the need for faithfulness.  Paul wrote about faithfulness to the Corinthian church:  “Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2).  In the Parable of the Talents, the five talent man and the two talent man were commended with these words:  “Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:  enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Matt. 25:21, 23).  In the Revelation, the Lamb overcomes His enemies.  They that are with Him “are called, and chosen, and faithful” (Rev. 17:14).

            One might think that being faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ would be easy after being redeemed by His precious blood, but for some Christians is it not easy.  They are negligent.  They are slothful.  They are undependable.  In essence, they are not faithful.  This is not a positive condition for the Christian.  In Hebrews 3, the inspired penmen likens them to the Israelites who fell in the wilderness.  In that chapter, he exhorts the followers of Christ not to be like them.  “So I sware in my wrath, they shall not enter into my rest.  Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Heb. 3:11-12).  The only way for God’s children to be made partakers of Christ is “if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end” (Heb. 3:14).  In essence, we mut be faithful,.

            What does it take for a person to remain faithful?  Let’s look at some of the core beliefs to which the faithful cling.  The first belief involves The Grandeur of God.  The word “grandeur” means “the quality or state of being grand, lofty, and elevated.”  God is high above all else.  In fact, the Scripture often refers to God as “the Highest.”  The first reference to God using this description is found in Psalm 18:13.  The inspired poet writes:  “The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.”  There are many other qualities of God that elevate Him above all else.  He is the Creator (Eccl. 12:1).  He is the Almighty God (Gen. 17:1).  He is eternal, that is, from everlasting to everlasting (Ps. 90:2).  There is none other as marvelous and majestic as God.  The fact that a person can be His child in an honor.  This thought should drive a person to be steadfast in His service.

            A second belief that will enable a person to be totally devoted to God involves The Sacrifice of His Son.  If an individual goes over the speed limit, he will be charged a fine.  Who made such a law?  It was the legislative branch of the government that made the law.  In like manner, who concocted this law:  “The soul that sinneth it shall die”?  This was formulated by the supreme Law Giver who we call God.  Isn’t it interesting that we hardly question the laws of men, but man constantly questions the law of God.  We might ask:  “Why is the penalty against sin so severe?”  The answer lies in the holiness of God.  God fully comprehends the evil nature of sin.  Thus, He declares that those who sin must die.  However, God’s love for man provides him a way to be delivered from his transgressions.  God sent His perfect Son as a sacrifice for our sins.  In Ephesians 5:2, Paul reveals that Christ gave “himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”  The offering Jesus provided was an offering for sin.  “…but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself…So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many…” (Heb. 9:26, 28).  If someone were to pay my traffic ticket, I would be extremely grateful.  How much more should sinful man be appreciative of the sacrifice of Jesus that delivers us from the sentence of death!  Those who truly understand the sacrifice of Christ realize they must live for Him.

            Another belief that will solve a person’s unfaithfulness stems upon The Cost of the Cross.  Here, the focus is upon the manner of Jesus’ death.  It was a gruesome death that caused the victim to suffer for hours on end.  The Romans perfected this method of execution.  It started with the pain of the nails driven into the hands and feet of the victim.  The cross then had to be raised and placed into the hole in the ground.  Almost immediately, the one on the cross had to deal with the problem of breathing.  The only way to effectively get a gasp of air was to place pressure upon the nails in the feet and push up.  The body bled.  The body dehydrated.  Muscle spasms were common.  The person longed to die, but continually pushed his naked back up and down on the wooden tree in order to breath.  This went on for hours and hours before a delighted crowd of mockers.  Occasionally, the individual was given a sip of water which only prolonged life.  Crucifixion was a horrific means of death.  It was reserved for vile criminals.  Sadly, the innocent Christ paid the price for our sins upon the cross.  “…but we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death…” (Heb. 2:9).  If all of God’s children could come to understand the horrible cost that was paid for their sins, they would rejoice.  Not only would they rejoice, but they would life a life in faithful obedience out of the gratitude for the price that was paid.

            A fourth understanding that would strengthen the commitment of the unfaithful has to do with The Benefits of the Blood.  Blood is the very essence of life (Lev. 17:11).  Life is precious.  Each person has only one life to life.  If a person is willing to shed his blood, he is willing to give up his life.    To give it up involves the highest form of love that can be manifested.  Even Jesus agreed.  He said:  “Greater love have no man that this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).  Jesus shed His blood for all men.  “And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many” (Mark 14:24).  Jesus knew that by shedding His blood, He would bring an abundance of blessings to all men.  We are made nigh unto God by the blood of Christ (Eph. 2:13).  The blood of Jesus Christ purges our conscience from dead works enabling us to serve the living God (Heb. 9:14).  The blood of Jesus washes (Rev. 1:5) and cleanses us from all sins (1 John 1:7).  If a person truly understands what the giving of Jesus blood means and what it does for us, faithfulness is not a difficult practice.  He/she is profoundly grateful for the love displayed at Calvary.

            It is easy to exhort individuals to be faithful, but is impossible to make God’s children be faithful.  Sadly, many are not.  The most powerful thing we can do is to help them understand some vital concepts such as The Grandeur of God, The Sacrifice of the Savior, The Cost of the Cross, and The Benefits of the Blood.  If these teachings do not motivate them to greater faithfulness, Satan has a tight grasp on their heart.  If they refuse to remove this grasp, they will perish in their unbelief.  What was said of the children of Israel can be said of all those who manifest unbelief.  “So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief” (Heb. 3:19).