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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
A “Faithful” Christian
When John the apostle was inspired to write the book of Revelation, he wrote that God’s people were “called, and chosen, and faithful,” Revelation 17:14. In that warfare between God and the armies of Satan, God’s people require certain characteristics, including “faithfulness.” If we are to be faithful, it is necessary that we know what is meant by that term.
In defining this word, W. E. Vine uses such terms as “believing, trusting…reliable, trusted.” Strong also brings “can be relied upon..” and “worthy of trust” to the definition.
This is clarified by the Holy Spirit’s mandate that God’s stewards must be “found faithful,” 1 Corinthians 4:1-2. We can see that God’s people, God’s allies are to be trusted, are reliable, will continue in their appointed tasks regardless of opposition or trials.
The term “faithful Christian” has seen many definitions by man in the past and even the present.
A Faithful Christian is/will Not:
If the term “faithful” were to be applied to our spouse we might think of things a faithful wife or husband would not do. Similarly, a faithful Christian will not be found in places where Christ would not go, will not use language Christ would not use.
In short terms, we would follow in “his steps” (1 Peter 2:21-23), not in paths charted by Satan. A faithful Christian will not be ruled more by a profession or a job than by Christ and His word. Money or hobbies will not be more important in his/her life than Christ and His church. The “works of the flesh” (Galatians 5:19-21) will not characterize the days of a faithful Christian, nor will he/she either compromise or participate in practices that are questionable.
This faithful person will not be driving people away from Christ faster than others can bring them to Him. Family and friends will never occupy a place more prominent in life than our relationship with Christ. Keeping the “peace” will not be more important than keeping the faith.
A Faithful Christian is/will:
If we were to speak favorably about a faithful dog, car or a faithful friend or doctor, we would do so because of some positive qualities they possess.
Over and over the scriptures detail the qualities of a “faithful” Christian:
- “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you,” Matthew 6:33.
- “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me,” John 10:27.
- “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,” Hebrews 10:24-25.
- “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth,” Colossians 3:1-2.
- “Be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord,” 1 Corinthians 15:58.
- “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world,” Philippians 2:15.
It is tempting to define one who is “faithful” merely in terms of one who does some things or does not do some things. In my experience, too often a Christian has been described as being “faithful” if he/she merely attends worship services “faithfully.”
However, one might be mightily “faithful” in attendance, yet lacking in the qualities and practices Jesus has given as prerequisites for being in His Kingdom:
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity,” Matthew 7:21-23.
God Called Some “Faithful”
Would it not be wise to see the names of those whom God considers “faithful”?
- In the parable of the Talents (Matthew 25), the five and two talent men are described as “faithful” because they did their work as they were instructed.
- In Galatians 3:9 Abraham is spoken of as being “faithful.”
- Paul described Tychichus as a “beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord,” Ephesians 6:21, Colossians 4:7.
- Peter speaks of Silas [or Silvanus] as being “.. a faithful brother unto you,” 1 Peter 5:12.
A passage often quoted from this pulpit is: “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life,” Revelation 2:10. It’s time for each of us to lay our lives down beside the definition God gives for a “faithful Christian” and see how we really stand in the eyes of God.
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“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it,”
“Loyalty is a noble quality, so long as it is not blind and does not exclude the higher loyalty to truth and decency.”
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other,”
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“A Parallel — Instrumental Music and
Moses' Transgression at the Rock”
Recently a parent told me that their now adult child, who had been taught by them that the use of the instrument in worship is sinful, is now questioning the sound teaching of his parents. This should be a wake-up call for all of us that the issues of the past will resurface if we fail to teach the fundamentals to a new generation and re-emphasize them to the current generation (Hebrews 5:12). The argument used by the child was: “It does not say that you cannot use the instrument in the New Testament and they used it in the Old Testament. So what is the big deal?”
When the Israelites set out on their journey from Egypt to the promised land of Canaan, they often allowed their physical desires to affect their judgment. In spite of God’s abundant goodness toward them, they murmured and complained all along the journey. Two events, closely related to their murmuring, are recorded for us in the Pentateuch. Both of these events have to do with God commanding Moses to draw water from a rock (Ex. 17:1-7; Num. 20:2-13). The contrast between these two accounts teaches a valuable lesson.
The first time that Moses drew water from the rock was after the Israelites had made camp at Rephidim. The Israelites grew thirsty and became so enraged with Moses that he thought they were close to stoning him (Ex. 17:4). God told Moses to take his rod, go to the rock in Horeb, strike the rock, and water would come forth. Moses did so and the water came as God had promised. Thus, Moses, through the power of God, was able to meet the needs of the people and press on to Canaan.
The second recorded time that Moses drew water from the rock was nearly forty years later at Kadesh, in the Wilderness of Zin (Num. 20:1). The majority of the Israelites from the first episode had perished because of their lack of faith in God’s promise (Numbers 14:1ff). Apparently the new generation was similar to the previous. Notice their grumbling: “Would God we had died when our brethren died before the Lord!” (Numbers 20:3). Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before the Lord, seeking guidance. God told Moses to take his rod, assemble the congregation, and speak to the rock (Numbers 20:8). Moses took the rod, gathered the people, approached the rock, and yet, rather than speaking to the rock, he struck it with his rod twice (Numbers 20:9-11). He did not do as the Lord had commanded him. Even though water came forth, the Lord did not overlook his error. Moses was not permitted to lead the Israelites into the promised land because of his transgression. Moses would be permitted to see the land of Canaan from Mount Nebo, but he would die in the land of Moab (Deuteronomy 32:48-52; 34:1ff).
How do these two events relate to instrumental music? Some, in favor of the instrument in worship ask, “Where does the Bible say we cannot use the instrument in worship to God?” The question is not “Where does the New Testament say you may not worship with the instrument?”. Rather, the question is: Where does the New Testament authorize worshiping with the instrument? The two event events at the rocks illustrate the valuable lesson that we must follow the will of God as He has authorized it and when He has authorized it.
One of the arguments used by the pro-instrument group is “They used instruments of music in praise to God in the Old Testament; therefore, God does not really care whether or not we use the instrument today.” A person needs to study Bible authority very closely. The apostle Paul wrote: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth,” (2 Timothy 2:15). Notice that God changed the instructions at the second rock from the time that Moses brought water from the first rock. God did not just overlook Moses’ disregard for His latest instruction. Moses was punished for his lack of obedience.
If Moses missed the promised land of Canaan because he followed the old instructions rather than the new way that God had given him, then what will be the condition of those who practice the philosophy that says “Instrumental music may not be in the New Testament but it is in the Old Testament.” God gave specific instructions that He expected to be followed. Notice that the first drawing of water was before the Mosaic law, but the second was during the Mosaic law. God held Moses accountable for his transgression of His’ new instructions even though only a few years had lapsed since the earlier instructions. Less than forty years had passed from the change in God’s instructions to Moses, but hundreds of years elapsed between the Old and New Testaments. Why cannot people see that they need to apply the laws given to them in the New Testament and not look back for regulations of worship in the Old Testament?
The churches of Christ have long pointed out that instrumental music in worship to God is sinful. It is sinful for the same reason that Moses sinned at the second rock – because God’s instructions had changed and Moses failed to obey the new instructions.
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