FAITH AND FAITHFULNESS

 

Corinthians 4:2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

While both are required there is a difference between faith and faithfulness.

As I have observed there are Christians who are believers and yet are not faithful to the trust given unto them.

We as lights on a hill are seen as examples of what Christ has done and preached. The image we project is what Christ is judged by in the world. I cannot challenge the salvation of one who says they have believed unto salvation yet they do discredit to the cause of Christ and the harm is done to unbelievers.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

A pretty good question to ask ourselves is; “How serious do I take this warning”? I say warning because it tells us of the inevitable outcome of the life we live.

Romans 8:5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

Minds set on what the flesh desires; “Their whole mental and moral activity is set upon nothing else but the gratification of these cravings of sense”. (Ellicott)

Galatians 5:19-20  Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,…(and are not subject to the demands of God)…to name a few.

The mind set on the Spirit is life and peace; “The mind occupied with the things that emanate from the indwelling Holy Spirit”.

Perhaps, maybe, could it be that too many Christians are fifty-fifty on these issues and still have a way to go in correcting their lifestyle for this is what people see. Trying to hide our short comings can only partially hide our failures for sooner or later “stuff comes out”.

The scriptures admonish us to pray for one another’s shortcomings and along with that correct each other using the Bible as our guide while taking heed unto ourselves.

What does the image of Christ look like to the world that I am projecting? Is it faith only or does my faithfulness to his words come shining through.

Faith will get you into the Kingdom, but faithfulness makes you profitable.