Faithful: October 2004

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 6
 
Proverbs 20:66Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? (Proverbs 20:6) asks a question: “But a faithful man who can find?” It must be a very rare quality! Nehemiah 7:22That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many. (Nehemiah 7:2) said that Hanani was “a faithful man, and feared God above many.” Because this was true, he was given the charge over Jerusalem. We live in days of compromise, and it is difficult to always be faithful. Indeed, this was only absolutely true of the Lord Jesus. Nonetheless, we are often exhorted to faithfulness. The Apostle Paul said that Timothy was a “beloved son, and faithful in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 4:1717For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. (1 Corinthians 4:17)) and that Onesimus was “a faithful and beloved brother” (Colossians 4:99With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. (Colossians 4:9)). Do you know of any person who has a reputation for being faithful? The Lord Jesus said that “Antipas was my faithful martyr” (Revelation 2:1313I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. (Revelation 2:13)). Not even death would cause him to deny his Master! The truth of God is so precious that Paul told Timothy to commit it “to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:22And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2)). Epaphras was a faithful minister who labored fervently in prayers (Colossians 1:7; 4:127As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; (Colossians 1:7)
12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. (Colossians 4:12)). Are we faithful in prayer? It requires no gift, but a heart for others. Would it not be a great joy at the end of your life to hear the Lord say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”? May the Lord help us to be faithful to Him. He is so worthy!
1. Silvanus (Silas) wrote the epistle for Peter. What does the Apostle say about him? 1 Peter 5:___
2. The kisses of an enemy are deceitful. What about the wounds of a friend?
Proverbs 27:___
3. What was Gaius doing for the brethren and to strangers? 3 John ___
4. What is the requirement for a man who would be a steward?
1 Corinthians 4:___
5. Why was it that the presidents and princes could find none occasion or fault against Daniel concerning the kingdom? Daniel 6:___