I want to be faithful to the Lord. Of all the characteristics that I desire to be said of my life, that is one of the most important. I wonder how many times we as Pastors have encouraged our people to be faithful throughout the last year.
We encouraged our members to be faithful in Bible reading, prayer, witnessing, encouraging other believers, and in their attendance to church. The list could go on and on if we were to list all the areas we should be faithful in daily.
As we examine this subject of being “Faithful to the End,” we are reminded of all the Scriptures that teach us about the falling away that will be evident in the last days before Christ returns.
How can we reconcile the Scriptures about the falling away, but, at the same time, rejoice and preach revival, encouraging people to be faithful until we see Christ? Grasp this vital truth. “We don’t need to be the ones that fall away.”
II Thessalonians 2:3 reminds us that “there come a falling away first” and II Timothy 4:3 says that a “time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine”. How do we keep
this time from describing us? How do we encourage those around us to be faithful to the end? Here are three commitments that will help us be faithful to the end.
1. Commit to the Word of God
There is no greater way to stay faithful to God than to remain faithful to His Word. We know that the Scriptures have been given by the inspiration of God.
II Timothy 3:16.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
Through this pandemic, I pray that Christians have realized the importance of spending time in the Bible. There is no other place to receive comfort, assurance, hope, and direction than from God’s Word. We must commit our lives to remain faithful to the Word.
Preachers, our opinions and human discourses will not change lives for eternity. Nor will it give believers the foundation to stand upon during hard times. Stick with the Bible.
Only then can we can assuredly stay faithful to the end. After all, we are holding to a Book that is forever settled in Heaven.
Psalm 119:89
“For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.”
Settle in your heart that you will not be one of those who are falling away. Stay with the Scriptures that are forever settled.
2. Commit to Sound Doctrine
False doctrine is a bigger problem than you may think. There is a reason that Paul exhorted the church in Ephesians 4:14.
“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”
He knew that the time was coming that people would not endure sound doctrine but would turn away from it.
Churches, colleges, preachers, and individuals all around us are watering down the Bible doctrine and saying that it does not matter. What are we supposed to do in light of all of this? STAY WITH SOUND BIBLE DOCTRINE!
Now is the time to know what you believe and why you believe it. Dig into the Word of God and become grounded in doctrine so firmly that nobody can talk you out of it.
Will there be a falling away from sound doctrine? Yes, but it does not have to be with you. We know that the Lord is coming back soon. We must strengthen our commitment to sound doctrine.
Everywhere we look there are cults, religions, and even some churches that come up with some “new doctrine” to follow.
Don’t be blown about by those winds that are constantly blowing and consistently changing.
The doctrine that you were saved by is doctrine good enough to live by. Remember what Paul said to the Romans.
Romans 6:17
“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.”
Settle Bible doctrines in your heart. Anchor your beliefs in the Scriptures, and allow them to impact your daily life.
3. Commit to Stability
Over the past year, there have been many conversations about how ministries are affected by the Covid pandemic and how they are working through it. It seems like every time you read or watch the news that things are changing. The regulations and recommendations yesterday may change by Sunday. To say we are taking it day by day sometimes feels like an understatement.
One Pastor asked me how I was approaching all the changing guidelines and recommendations. To which I responded, “I am trying to be steady at the helm.”
With everything changing all around us, there is definitely a need for stability in our lives today. Church members can see that stability in the Pastor as he leads or in Christians as they minister to the lost around them.
I am reminded over and over of I Corinthians 15:58.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
Let those words, “STEDFAST” & “UNMOVEABLE” sink into our hearts andlives.Wouldthoseadjectives describe our Christian life today? Would it describe our service for the Lord or faithfulness to Him?
Just before Paul reminded Timothy that there will be people that do not endure sound doctrine, he encouraged him to remain faithful in II Timothy 3:14.
“But continue thou in the things which thou has learned and has been assured of, knowing of whom thou has learned them;”
When everything around you seems to be changing and falling apart, you can be stable and faithful in your walk with God.
We know, according to Scripture, that a steward is required to be faithful. Does that describe your life or mine? It certainly can!
II Thessalonians 2:2
“That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.”
As we see the day approaching, may we commit that by the grace of God IT WILL NOT BE US who falls away.
We can commit to the Word of God, to sound doctrine, and to stability. May the Lord find us faithful in the last days! Steady at the Helm!