Found Faithful
Apr 27, 2022
"His lord said unto him, Well done, [thou] good and faithful servant..."
- Mat 25:21 KJV
In Christian circles, we rehearse these words often when referring to meeting The Lord. It seems to be a common desire among followers of Christ. To sincerely love Jesus means to have a genuine desire to please Him. To want to be found "good and faithful." But what exactly does that mean? How can I be found faithful when that day comes? And for the record, it will come.
WE ALL HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO KEEP
"...prepare to meet thy God..."
- Amos 4:12 KJV
Do you ever frantically floss and scrub your teeth before a dentist's appointment? Even if you're on your way to get them cleaned? Are you careful about what you eat earlier in the day? It would be insane for them to find out you use your teeth for (gasp) eating! It sounds silly when you put it that way, but we care about having a complimentary appointment. How much more should we care about how we plan to meet with our Creator and Saviour?
This current life is preparation for the next. The book of James reminds us that this life is "only a vapor" (James 4:14) that appears for a short time yet has eternal ramifications. We have only a small window in this life to determine how we will spend eternity. That's a sobering thought!
"Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad."
- 2Co 5:9-10 KJV (emphasis mine)
BE FOUND FAITHFUL
"1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."
- 1Co 4:1-2 KJV
Jesus sets for us a powerful scene in Luke, chapter 18. He tells of a desperate woman and a difficult judge. I'll let you read the entire story for yourself, but let me point out some key insights. First, notice how this parable begins and ends.
"1 And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
... 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"
- Luke 18:1, 8 KJV
Jesus gives his purpose for the story in verse one. "Men ought always to pray." Then He explains the eternal impact of persistent prayer in verse eight. "Shall He find faith on the earth?" The woman in the story refused to give up until she broke through. Then, using the woman's consistent focus as an example, Jesus paints a picture of authentic faith. Faith is about faithfulness.
FAITH IS ABOUT FAITHFULNESS
Another term associated with a faithful individual (or unfaithful) is the word steward.
"...Moreover, it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful..."
- 1Co 4:1-2 KJV
What is a steward? A steward is someone who manages someone else's property or affairs. Ultimately, they have no authority except to manage them temporarily.
Pay careful attention to the imperative in the Scripture verse above. Faithfulness is required. Not suggested, not recommended, but required. If God is going to invest Himself into us, we must be trustworthy. Would you entrust your most valuable possessions to someone of questionable character? Of course not.
WILL YOU BE FOUND FAITHFUL?
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