by Robert Fudge

Yesterday we talked about the betrayal of Jesus and how we are betrayed by others. The opposite of betrayal is faithfulness. While men betray one another, we serve a God who is faithful as a part of His nature. If we really believe in heaven and we are living each day with our eyes fixed on Him, it is important for us to know that He is faithful. Our hope will not be in vain but God is there with us all the way.

1 Cor 1:8-9: He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

II Timothy 1:12-14: That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. 13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit t hat was entrusted to you-guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

God is faithful. But, can God depend on me to be faithful to Him? It is easy for us to judge Judas in his betrayal of our Lord, but do we betray Him in our lives? We are ready to condemn Peter for denying Jesus, but do we deny Him in our actions? Paul said in Titus 1:16: They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him.

Perhaps the one thing we too often do is serve God with half hearted service. We claim to know Him but we only call on Him when it is convenient or when we are in real trouble. We must learn to walk and talk with Him each day.

For too many of us, our service to God consists of when we go to church. Really serving Him is something we do 24/7. Real service is when we learn to allow His Holy Spirit to live in us and control us in all we do. The way we conduct ourselves as a husband, wife, parent, child, neighbor, fellow student, co-worker, etc is what determines if we are faithful. Does my speech portray faithfulness to God? Does my attitude toward others portray that I am faithful to Him? What about when things are not going as we like? Ever have one of those days when everything goes wrong that can go wrong? When it seems that the whole world is out to test your nerves to the max? When your children (or parents) are determined to try you in every way possible? How do we respond to this? Do they see one who is faithful (Jesus living in me), no matter what the circumstances or do we deny Him in our reactions? Let’s commit our lives to Him who is faithful. Because He is faithful, He has promised that He will keep us, shield us, protect us, strengthen us, provide for us our every need (not wish) in this life and most of all in the life to come.

He is faithful – it is His nature, His very being requires it. Am I faithful; can He depend on me? 2 Tim 2:11-13:

Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him, we will also live with him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign with hi m.
If we disown him, He will also disown us;
13 if we are faithless, He will remain faithful,
for He cannot disown himself.

May God bless you as serve Him today.