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Called, Chosen and Faithful Rev 17:14 says that those who are with Jesus are "called, chosen, and faithful." faith·ful (fâth’fel) adjective
(from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language) (Heb 10:19-31 KJV) "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." We see the definition of faithful and we see what Hebrews says about being faithful. Faithful is being full of faith. It is being full of trust in Jesus, belief in Jesus, and being consistent without wavering in this trust and belief. It is being devotedly loyal to Jesus Christ and His body. Hebrews says we must have our hearts cleaned from an evil conscience: cleaned of this conscience of ours that brings doubt and disbelief. This conscience that says if I miss it once, it will not kill me. This conscience that wavers in our decisions and shows forth the double-mindedness that we wear. This conscience that shows our hypocrisy. This is what we must clean ourselves of, because if we do not, we are found unfaithful. If we do not assemble together regularly when God has ordained times, we are found unfaithful. When we cuss, degrade, dwell lustfully, (knowing better than to do these) we are found unfaithful. Anything we do not and we know we should, or do and know we should not, we are found unfaithful. If we profess faithfulness but are not, we fall into the hands of God and are judged according to our faith. If we are faithful, full of faith, we are "full gospel." We believe and do what the whole Word says. leaving nothing out or excusing. (Rev 2:10 KJV) "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." We see by this verse that there is a time that the enemy is allowed to test our faith. He comes and casts us into prisons, wanting to see if we will crack, and give in. The Lord tells us that we must be faithful even when the future is uncertain, even when we cannot see out of our prison cell. He promises a Crown of Life, no more death or near death experiences. This is the reward to the faithful. This is for those who did not give in or let up. It is for those who never lost faith in Jesus Christ. (Heb 10:32-39 KJV) "But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." There is a Holy Boldness about to come to the faithful, a Holy Boldness that will shake the earth where they walk. It will tremble the enemy. It will shine as the sun from those whom it possesses. The faithful know that they are faithful. The faithful have not stopped, have not wavered, have not second guessed, have continued to look toward the sky for the return of Jesus Christ. The faithful have felt the urge of intercession. They have paid their offerings and have been servants in their churches. These are the ones who have said, "Wherever you lead me I will go." These are the ones into whom the Lord is about to pour out the fruit of His Holiness. They are about to receive the Strength of their Joy. They are about to receive the New Wine for which they have prayed. God is going to do it, and the faithful know He is. They have a quiver in their spirit. Let us continue and be full of faith, awaiting our reward of endurance, that Jesus Christ may be glorified through the faithful.
- CHAD ROSS
September Newsletter 1997 | Listening Is Hearing | Pastor's Journal September 1996 The Fruit of Our Lips | Depart from Evil | Called, Chosen and Faithful Revised: February 22, 2008. |
Biblical Counseling for Leaders
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