Have We Been Faithful to God?

Our God is a faithful and always keeps His promise-s. He promised to save mankind from sin and fulfilled it by giving His only Son, so that today we are worthy to be called children of God. In other words, God has done His part for us. 

Then what is our part? Of course, we too must be faithful to God. Perhaps there are some things you have already done for that. But do you desire to become even better children of God? 

 

The Definition of Faithfulness: Have We Practiced It?

According to KBBI (Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia), the word faithfulness means holding firmly (to a promise, conviction, and so on); obedient; compliant.

A person can be called faithful if he continues to hold firmly to a promise, and remains obedient and compliant. So faithfulness is measured because there was already a promise. For example, a wife to her husband, in the marriage vows, promises to be faithful in every condition, whether good or bad. In the same way, we are faithful to God by continuing to hold firmly to the promise we made when we received Jesus as Lord and Savior.

How can we maintain our faithfulness to God? Here are several things that must be practiced continually:

1. Steadfast Faith in God

“Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much.” – Luke 16:10

No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. – John 15:13-14

Jesus was willing to lay down His life for those He called friends, and this was proven through His death on the cross. Who are Jesus’ friends? His disciples. Who are Jesus’ disciples? They are those who follow Jesus and remain faithful.

What is causing you to no longer want to follow Jesus? Finances that never seem to improve, a life partner who has not yet come. Challenges can come when you are offered a job outside the city that could take you far from God. Challenges can also come from a life partner from outside who invites you to leave God. When all that comes, can you still have faith that is steadfast in God?

Perhaps you have not yet faced challenges like that. But there are still many other examples. Another small example is this: what do you choose when you must choose between going tochurch on Sunday or being too lazy to wake up early?

Whatever your struggle is right now, believe that none of it is heavier than what Jesus has already endured. He has shown His greatest love; let us remain faithful in whatever condition this life brings.

2. Obey God’s Commands

Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work. – John 4:34

Jesus completed every task from the Father in heaven. It began with His birth as a man and continued to His death on the cross. The suffering on the way to the cross was extremely heavy, yet in the hardest condition Jesus still obeyed the command of the Father; He is the example of a faithful character.

We should follow this example, obeying the commands of God. This attitude can be proven in every responsibility given to us. In ministry for example, no matter how difficult it is, if we are helping someone else’s life and it is still our responsibility, then we must help them. In work, for example, we must finish the work we have started and make sure it does not harm others.

Obeying God’s commands is proof that we are loving God. Love is not limited to saying, “I love God.” It is impossible to love without action. If we do not obey God’s word, or obey only halfway, then automatically we are rejecting Him. And if we reject God, can we still be called faithful?

A person’s obedience to God is seen in how he does not only the things he likes, but also the things he does not like for the sake of his lovefor God.

3. Start with Small Things

“Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much.” – Luke 16:10

Many things begin with small steps, and faithfulness is no different. We can learn to be faithful through small things, such as reading God’s word and praying every day, going to worship, and carrying out ministry duties with full responsibility. 

Before I came to know God’s word, I was the kind of person who was lazy about reading. Just seeing how thick a book was, I would already give up. While studying the Bible, I began to long to know God’s word more deeply. Then I took on the challenge of reading the Bible every day. Strangely, it did not feel difficult, and I succeeded in reading the whole Bible in one year. The following year, besides reading the Bible, I also began reading spiritual books.

Being faithful in small things is not limited only to spiritual matters. For example, a merchant who sells goods honestly. He says that his product is genuine because it truly is genuine, so buyers who see his integrity then decide to become his customers. 

What small things have been entrusted to you right now? Preparing a price proposal? Buying goods for the company? Arriving on time, both at the office and at church? Whatever it is, let us do it faithfully starting today.

4. Live for God: Guard Holiness

Therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercy of God I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God: this is your true worship. 

When I was single, I often committed sexual immorality. Even after I repented, I once fell into the same sin. I received that pornographic video without asking for it, from a conversation sent in a group chat. I thought I was already strong and would not be trapped by temptation. Realizing that I must always stay connected with God, the first action I took was to leave that group.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what the will of God is: what is good and pleasing to God and perfect. – Romans 12:1-2

As children of God, we should think about things connected with eternity. Learn to find out what is pleasing to God by studying the word-s. Do not test yourself with sin. The tendency of a sinner is to commit sin, and keep doing it. So stay away from the things that cause you to fall into sin. 

What sin has been keeping you from living inholiness ? Remember, sin separates us from God, so deal with it as early as possible. Ask for help from a mentor or spiritual brothers and sisters to strengthen and help you in the process of leaving

sin.

5. Love Others Jesus said,

“… truly I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.” – Matthew 25:40 God sees how we treat others, both our brothers and sisters in Christ and those who are not yet part of the flock. He loves everyone in the world, so we too must love 

our neighbors. Without faithfulness to God, we have not yet done our part as children of God. Is Jesus truly the Lord over your life? Be faithful to God by holding firmly to the covenant that Jesus is the Lord and Savior over our lives. Faithfulness will give us peace and certainty ofGod’s promise

, namely eternal life with Him in heaven.

Who is your neighbor today? Perhaps they are parents who live far away from you. Reach out to them by calling regularly every week, for example. Perhaps that neighbor is your friend. If they are sad, you can comfort or visit them instead of simply being indifferent and staying silent. You need to keep growing in love for God and others. For that, you need the right place, namely a healthy community. Find a community that supports you to keep loving God

and others.

Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. – Revelation 2:10b

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May we all remain faithful to God until the end of our lives. Amen!

• Related Articles:
• The Qualities of God’s Chosen People
• Worry: A Parasite That Eats Away at Faith
• The Language of God’s Love
• Giving Others a Second Chance

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