WEDNESDAY'S WORD - FAITHFULNESS 01/28/15 - SADELL BRADLEY

  
Faithfulness is the concept of unfailingly remaining loyal to someone or something and putting loyalty into consistent practice, regardless of extenuating circumstances. In wedding vows, we pledge our faithfulness, "I plight thee my troth (loyalty)," affirming that we will be exclusive in love and intimacy with the one we have linked our lives to forever.  Faithfulness also expresses fidelity in more common things: a faithful customer at a store or restaurant, a faithful employee, or a faithful fan of a team or artist.  Finally, the phrase, "the faithful" describes those who have a strong religious belief that keeps true to its teachings or doctrines with a steadfast perseverance.  Paul describes us as "servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God," and emphasizes that "those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." 1 Cor. 4:1-2 

Mother Theresa founded the Missionaries of Charity with 4500 sisters  to run hospices and homes for people with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and leprosy, soup kitchens and orphanages, mobile clinics and schools for the impoverished and those who were forgotten of society. She said, "We are called upon not to be successful, but to be faithful."  Ironically, her faithfulness brought great notoriety as she fulfilled God's mission for her life.

Faithfulness is a God-like characteristic. Jesus is described as Faithful and True.(Revelation 19:11) Paul said that in Christ's faithfulness He will protect and deliver us both from the evil one, and from wicked people. (2 Thes. 3:2-3)  Proverbs 28:20 promises that, "A faithful man will abound in blessings." Jesus urged His disciples about faithful stewardship in Luke 16:10-12:

“He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. “Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you? “And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?

 

When I meet the Lord the one thing I want to hear is..."Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come share in your Master's happiness." (Matthew 25:21)