Words: 351
Time to read: 2 minutes
One day we are going to pass off the scene. The legacy that we leave behind of faith and faithfulness will be far more enduring than the material possessions we bequeath, regardless of their value intrinsic or otherwise. Both are essential ingredients. Faith is not merely believing in vagaries or some pie-in-the-sky feeling. It is based on the reality of the completed work and person of Jesus Christ. Taking Him at His Word. Believing and applying His doctrine. He is the object of our faith. Faithfulness is steadfast continuance in the pursuit of Christ, regardless of social upheaval or personal inhibitions. I remain faithful because the object of my faith has not changed and the source of faith is immutable. History will not remember my name; but, that’s not even the point. The history of true biblical Christianity is that of men and women, nameless and forgotten, who simply steadfastly ran their race to pursue their faith–Jesus Christ. When apostasy comes it is a result of changing the object of our faith to what pleases us best and how we can best adapt to a world and culture that is changing seismically seemingly every day. Perhaps this is viewed with disdain as antiquated and arcane. Holding to the faith once delivered to the saints has never been more important. Perhaps the lines are not quite as clear as they once were. This is merely a tactic of Satan to confuse the believer and muddle our priorities and allegiance. Holiness is not a man-made standard, but God’s very person. Separation is not what this pastor or that group believes it to be; it is clearly defined by God’s Word and a position that the church of God once took as essential and rudimentary to all other doctrines.
The local church must be led by men who have a heart for God’s holiness and not to conflate reaching the world with worldly saturation. We must distinguish biblical doctrine and live out holiness, not as a means to prove ourselves better than anyone, but in simple obedience. Let us be faithful to the faith.