Be Faithful

Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Revelation 2:10b NASB

Jesus said that if we are “faithful until death”. He will give us “the crown of life”. He is saying that if we are faithful to Him in this life until we die, we will have eternal life with Him. Sounds conditional doesn't it? That's because it is. If we hope to be with Jesus in eternity then we was must live this life to His glory. We must remain faithful in our relationship with Him.

Over the past few days we have looked at several different topics concerning salvation. Hearing the gospel, believing in Jesus, repenting of our sins, confessing that Jesus is the Son of God and being baptized. The last subject in this discussion is faithfulness.

We know that a relationship cannot last if both parties are not faithful to that relationship. If one becomes unfaithful in the relationship, the relationship will never be the same. What Jesus wants us to know is that when we commit to Him it is for life. He wants us to be dedicated to Him for life.

Jesus made this clear during His earthly ministry as well; But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62 NASB Jesus was speaking in response to a statement someone had made; "I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home." Luke 9:61 NASB Jesus wanted His followers to understand that following Him was their priority for this life in order to join Him in the life to come.

So we see that, once we make that commitment to Jesus it is for a life time. If we lose our faith and we walk away we will not be in relationship with Him anymore. Remember He said “Be faithful until death”. That statement doesn't allow for a temporary faithfulness or on and off again faith. He wants us to be as faithful to Him as he is to us.

Paul said this in 2^nd Timothy chapter 2 and verses 12 and 13; “If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” Paul understood that Jesus faithfulness will never cease, but we are capable of denying Him and losing our opportunity to reign with Him. Paul knew it was a matter of endurance, seeing it through to the end. That is how our faith is to be; enduring till the end.

© 2012 Leo J. Woodman