FAITHFULWORD.ORG | TEACHINGS

Galatians 4:4-6; John 14:1-3; I Corinthians 4:1, 2; [Proverbs 24:16]; Psalm 1:2; [Colossians 1:9]; Jeremiah 23:29; Romans 14:10; II Corinthians 5:1, 10; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:2-28; Hebrews 2:9-12; Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 16:10-17; Revelation 3:11; 22:7, 12, 20

As the holidays are upon us, we must continue to rejoice that Jesus came into the world. When the fullness of time was come, God sent His Son the first time. Because of the accomplishments of Jesus Christ, we can once again have an intimate relationship with God. Yet what we have now is only a token of that which is to come. When the fullness of time is come, God will once again send His Son back to gather the saints, part of which will be Christ's millennial reign on earth. God's Word tells us those who do this will be those who are faithful.

As true believers, we have accepted the gift of God in the complete wholeness we have in Christ Jesus. Now is an excellent time to talk about this gift. We can ask people if they have received it yet and, if they have, ask if they have "unwrapped" it and are using what God has given.

I Corinthians 4 says we are to be stewards of the mysteries of God. A steward is one who cares for the things entrusted to him. As stewards, we are to be faithful. God knows we are not perfect and that is why Jesus' blood still cleanses us. We are, however, encouraged to love, serve and be living epistles. Faithful means consistent. We may fall or be side-tracked from time to time, but we can come back to the Word and start putting it in our hearts again and doing the things of God.

God's Word often reminds us that we will be rewarded for the things we do for God in this life. Luke says "he that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much." The context refers to the true riches, which are spiritual. We are to be faithful to utilize what God has given to us in this life. If we misuse or neglect these things, it takes time and faithfulness but we can get back to where we should be.

As we show our praise and thanksgiving for his birth and first coming, let us remember the benefits of being faithful now, staying mindful of the great hope of Christ’s return. It will come quickly in the fullness of time. We pray, as stated in Revelation 22:20 — "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."