Details

Created: Tuesday, 07 August 2012 14:06

Last Updated: Tuesday, 11 September 2012 17:48

Published: Tuesday, 07 August 2012 14:06

Written by Mark Neddeau

Hits: 1015

Moreover, it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.  1 COR 4:2

Friends,

That term "moreover" is of supreme interest to us.  Moreover means "combining with this fact, or adding to this".  For all intents and purposes, it means that no matter what else is laid out in being entrusted with God's secrets, this following statement or condition must be added to it:  that a man be found faithful.

 Moreover strikes a tone with this passage, and the preceding information found in verse 1, when describing servants.  It tells us that no matter what else a servant is (and more importantly does), it is required that they be found faithful in the discharge of their service.  Faithfulness is the key to everything we do.  We know this, but so often of late it seems that people are focused on the WHAT rather than the WHY.  That is to say that action and work (the acts of the apostles for example), are overwhelming the FAITH of the apostles and the belief system that drove them into action!  Failing to understand that WHY we do something is of supreme importance to God is leading many to believe that what they do will be the ultimate judgement tool.  Not true! 

Paul writes to the Corinthians "My conscience is clear, but that doesn't prove I'm right.  It is the LORD himself who will judge me."  1 COR 4:4 

This statement says "Hey, I've done my best to perform, I've laid out the works I was given, but it doesn't matter, God will judge my HEART and show the truth."  Paul said he had run his course and kept the faith and now was laid up for him a reward in heaven.  But it wasn't the course alone that got him the reward, it was KEEPING it.  Faithfulness is a matter of mental excercise.  It is a spiritual release of your mentality through physical works.  In other words - it's what you decide to do that makes you do it and releases the results of it.

What faithfulness does is focus you and keep you on the path when you lose sight of the goal.  When the enemy assails, or when circumstance sets you back, it is faithfulness that holds you to the course.  The mental decision to keep on in the face of overwhelming odds is the deciding factor that reveals your faithfulness.   Beyond anything else you do for Christ and his Kingdom, deciding to stay faithful to it is the key to your reward. Door knocking, soul winning, baptizing, preaching, teaching, praying, staying, cleaning the church, all these ACTIONS are nothing without FAITH (the mental belief that God is real, and that he is a rewarder of them that believe).

HEB 11:6 "Without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE (emphasis mine) to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him."

 So then, no matter WHAT we do, if it is not done from the mental attitude of FAITHfulness, it means nothing.  The judgment we get then can be found in MATTHEW 7:23  "Depart from me, I never knew you."

The reason he never knew them was that their works were done for personal gain, or from teaching, or from tradition - not from the FAITHFULNESS of a personal relationship and love.  It was done because they were expected to do it, or wanted something for doing it.  It was not done simply for the doing of it, and it was done without the personal relationship with and revelation of Jesus Christ. 

It is true that God expects us to work for him; to win souls.  But it is more true that he wants a personal and focused relationship with you that transcends what you do!  Listen, friend, you have nothing he needs but love!  You cannot work your way into a God who created everything and has it already!  The only thing you can do that is original and new is to be found FAITHFUL. Holding to him out of personal belief that WHATEVER you do for him will last so long as it is done in LOVE means more to Him than anything else. 

To OBEY is better than SACRIFICE (1 Sam 15:22). So, then, where is obedience found?  In the heart and in the mind, yes?  Isn't it true that all our works, sins, and everything done in the body stems from the desire of our heart?  That is why we must hold to our faith - develop our belief system to the point that even when our works fail and all is crumbling, we can hold to HIM - and love him.  When the chips are down we must do because we want someONE, not because we want someTHING! 

We pray today for you that your FAITH will rise.  We pray that despite whatever works others are doing, or numbers flocking to their church, or whatever has gotten your eyes off the goal, you will return to your first love.  We pray that whatever you do you are doing it first and foremost because He told you to do it, without expectation of anything but to please HIM!  May God grant the faith that keeps you alive in Him even when it seems your works have come to a screeching halt!  When you feel you are failing because your fruit is not where you want it, may you be found FAITHFUL in the willingness to change course, and do what HE wants you to do.  Do that, friend, and you will be found FAITHFUL.

In Love,

Elders Mark and Dana Neddau