Day 13

Gleaning Gold

Nuggets of Truth

Faithfulness – today’s definition of this word is so diluted compared to what Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary states:

Fidelity; loyalty; firm adherence to allegiance and duty; as the faithfulness of a subject.

Faithfulness’ definition is dependent on the lifestyle of the person to whom it is directed. For example, a person may be a faithful employee but be unfaithful to his spouse. This person cannot apply the true definition of faithfulness to his life. In my lifetime, I have seen faithfulness dwindling. People use to be faithful in going to church, in reading their Bibles, in telling others about Christ, etc.

True faithfulness is rare. However, there are many who will boast of their faithfulness. Being raised a religious catholic, I was one of those who boasted of my faithfulness. However, when I was made new in Christ, I discovered that true faithfulness produces humility. God knows if we are truly faithful or not. If we are, it is evident in our actions – we do not need to boast of it.

Refining the Gold

Just how faithful are we as children of the King of Kings? Do we give up easily when the tough situations of life arise?

Our faithfulness can be achieved because God is faithful! Knowing that God is faithful brings peace to the believer. There is no need for worry, no need for concern, no need to think on things that have yet to happen. God wishes to fulfill His plan through us.

Knowing God’s faithfulness helps the believer to rest assured that we can proceed in the path that He has set before us without concern. All we have to do is be found faithful! We are not to be faithful in our works leaving our relationship with the Lord to suffer. This is not the same thing. Works are good but not at the expense of our relationship with God. I hope that makes sense to you. As a “faithful catholic,” I did good works believing that this would enhance my relationship with God. However, I did so at the expense of my relationship with Him.

Now that I am born again, I must be faithful to Him and nurture my relationship with Him, just as any child would nurture his relationship with his parents. As I seek Him and His will for my life through the Word, through His man, etc., I am nurturing that relationship. This faithfulness in our relationship will be evident in my actions. I do not need to boast of it – it will be self evident.

Examine yourself – why are you doing good deeds? If you are truly born again and are a child of the King, it will be automatic – no need for boasting here. However, if you are doing good deeds because that is what is commanded of you by your church, then you will not be found faithful by the Judge of all. You will find yourself lacking when you stand before Him at the Judgment Seat of Christ.