THINGS WE MUST TRULY APPRECIATE TO BE FAITHFUL (2)

Victor M. Eskew

 

            Once a person has dedicated himself to Jesus Christ, the focus of the rest of his life should be upon faithfulness to his Master.  Faithfulness is consistent obedience to the Lord’s will.  Faithfulness is steadfast labors in Lord’s service.  One would think faithfulness would be easy, but it isn’t.  Sometimes those who are thought to be the most faithful struggle with it.  Thus, it is essential for all of us to keep in mind several things that must be appreciated that should keep us faithful to the Christ.  In our previous article we considered four things:  The Grandeur of God, The Sacrifice of His Son, The Cost of the Cross, and The Benefits of Jesus’ Blood.  Let’s examine four more things that we must appreciate in order to be faithful to our Lord and Savior.

            First, we must come to appreciate The Wonders of the Word.  The Word of God is the only book of earth that contains words from the mind of God.  “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…” (2 Tim. 3:16).  Other books make a claim for inspiration, but when put to the test, they fail miserably.  One of the wonders of this divine revelation it that it answers the three fundamental questions that all men have:  Where did I come from?  Why am I here?  And, where am I going?  It reveals to us God’s scheme of redemption, a plan that originated in the mind of God before the foundation of the world and that took some four thousand years to bring to fruition after the earth was created.  In the Bible, we read about the God-man, Jesus Christ.  God manifested Himself in the flesh (John 1:1, 14).  We read about His marvelous ministry and His death on Calvary.  We also read about His victorious resurrection and ascension to the right hand of God.  We find God’s plan whereby we can be righteous (Rom. 1:16-17).  Too, we read the divine instructions as to how we should live our lives here (Col. 1:23).  The Bible also informs us of a hope that lies beyond this world in a place called Heaven.  One day, this Jesus who was taken up into heaven shall so come in like manner and take back all of the redeemed with Him to eternal glory.  We have only touched the tip of the iceberg as far as the wonders of God’s Word are concerned.  God’s Word is a goldmine of information.  A person can mine its depths for a lifetime and never deplete its riches.  The reading, study, and application of God’s Word has the ability to keep a Christian’s feet planted in the way of righteousness and holiness.

            Second, all of God’s children need to come to appreciate The Choiceness of the church.  During His earthly ministry, Jesus promised to build His church.  To Peter, the Lord addressed these words:  “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18).  That church came into existence on Pentecost when about three thousand Jews obeyed the truth of the gospel of Christ.  “…And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47).  In the twenty-first century, the church has never been as misunderstood, as neglected, and as maligned as it is today.  Men fail to understand that the church is “the ark” of the saved.  They fail to understand that it is not a physical entity, but a spiritual entity.  Jesus died to purchase the church (Acts 20:28).  It is composed of all those who have been cleansed from their sins by the blood of Jesus.  When God looks down from heaven upon His creation, He sees two groups:  those in the world and those who make up the church.  He does not have many churches, He only has one (Eph. 1:22-23, 4:4).  Those who are in this precious group of people have the benefit of all spiritual blessings that are in Christ (Eph. 1:3).  When Jesus comes again, He will be looking for His holy bride the church.  “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, for any such thing; but that is should be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:27).  Jesus gave His life a ransom for all (1 Tim. 2:6).  All can be members of the Lord’s church.  This is done by obeying the gospel of Christ.  When a person does this, God sets the individual in the body of Christ as it pleases Him (1 Cor. 12:18).  That individual is one of the chosen of God (Eph. 1:4).  He is one of the called-out ones.  He is a member of the church.  To be part of this heavenly body of Christians is a privilege.  Many are called, but few are chosen.  The fact that we are one of God’s elect should motivate us to steadfastness in Christ’ service.

            Third, if an individual truly comprehends the horrors of hell, he will definitely be motivated to faithfulness.  The Bible teaches us that hell was prepared for the devil and his angels (Matt. 25:41).  Jesus described this place as an environment where the fire “never shall be quenched” (Mark 9:43-48).  He taught that it is a place of “outer darkness” and of the “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 25:30).  Man does not lose consciousness in hell.  He is aware of his pain and of his horrible surrounding.  Too, he is cognizant of every opportunity to become a child of God that was forsaken while he lived in this life.  Thus, there will be the constant sting of memory to endure.  In Romans 2:8-9, Paul describes hell with four words:  “”indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish.”  Hell is the ultimate destination of Satan.  It is the eternal dwelling place for all of God’s enemies.  It will be filled with the wicked and sinners of every stripe.  “For without are dogs, sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie” (Rev. 22:15).  Perhaps the worst part of hell is that God is not there.  The person who is sentenced to eternal condemnation will walk from the presence of God never to see His face again.  If a person can develop even a minute appreciation of hell, he will be motivated to be loyal to the Master (2 Cor. 5:11).

            Fourth, if the redeemed can appreciate The Riches of Our Reward, they will seek to be faithful in all things.  The verses describing our reward are many.  “In my Father’s house are many mansions” (John 14:2).  “…an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Pet. 1:4).  “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be nor more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:  for the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:4).  “And I saw no temple therein:  for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it" (Rev. 21:22).  “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it:  for the glory of the God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof” (Rev. 21:23).  “And there shall in no wise enter into it any things that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie:  but they that are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev. 21:27).  Who would not want absolute perfection in which to dwell?  It’s difficult to comprehend because we appreciate earth.  However, if we look up and see the riches of our reward, earth pales in comparison.  We will be willing to labor for a few days to receive the rest God had promised us in that heavenly city. 

            In two articles, we have presented eight things that need to capture our thoughts so we will be more inclined to live faithful, dedicated lives for Jesus Christ.  Faithfulness.  It is not out of the reach of any of us who call ourselves Christians.  However, it begins in the mind.  When we think on the right things, faithfulness is no longer a weak desire, it becomes a way of life.  As you contemplate your faithfulness to the Lord, we remind you of the closing words of Revelation 17:14.  “……and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Horrors of Hell

The Riches of our Reward