Our First Duty
Here is a word we don’t hear very often. The word is “faithful.” We hear a lot about faith, but very little about being faithful. What does faithful mean?
Well, if we break the word down it is easy to see it is made up of the word faith and the word full. So, on the one hand it means one who is full of faith. It’s funny, when I looked up the word faithful in the online dictionary it said the definition “full of faith” is “obsolete.” As a Pastor, that is heart breaking. Jesus asked this question concerning the last days. “When the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8). I guess not according to Merriam-Webster!
The second definition of faithful is “loyal” or “trustworthy.” Paul wrote, “…our first duty is to be faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2 CEV). As a believer, one who is “full of faith,” we must be found faithful, loyal, and trustworthy. We can say we believe. We can say we have faith. But faith is demonstrated by being faithful. Faithful to God. Faithful to God’s Word. Faithful to God’s service. Faithful to God’s people. Faithful to God’s house.
When you look up the word faithful in the dictionary do you see your picture? When others speak of those who are faithful, does your name come up in the conversation? When Jesus comes, will you be found faithful? Greatness in the Kingdom of God is defined as “faithful.”
Remember Paul’s words, “…our first duty is to be faithful.”
Be faithful.
Pastor Gary
