GOD IS FAITHFUL: LIVING FAITHFUL TOWARD GOD AND TOWARD MEN!
“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the WILL of God, to the SAINTS which are at Ephesus, and to THE FAITHFUL in Christ Jesus” Ephesians 1:1
“And herein do I EXERCISE myself, to have always a CONSCIENCE void of offence TOWARD God, and TOWARD men” Acts 24:16.
“HOLDING the MYSTERY OF THE FAITH in a PURE CONSCIENCE” 1 Timothy 3:9.
The knowing that GOD IS FAITHFUL and we need to live FAITHFUL and FAITHFULLY TOWARD Him, is a gracious and graceful place and position to be in Christ Jesus stead; but that’s not complimentary enough until we actualised our life, by being FAITHFUL and FAITHFULLY TOWARD men. THERE’S THE NEED TODAY TO LIVE FAITHFUL TOWARD GOD AND TOWARD MEN; more so, especially those that are set apart to LOOK WELL and ACCOUNT for souls in the Kingdom spiritually.
It does mean, that we can’t claim to be FAITHFUL toward God, while we go about living UNFAITHFUL life’s toward those who OVERSEES our spiritual well-being in Christ Jesus stead. It is a dangerous place to take when you are not living Scripturally FAITHFUL and FAITHFULLY TOWARD the one you know that you’ve inclined your spiritual mentorship in leadership toward, irrespective of any circumstance.
Today, we have lots and loads of loose or loosen believers who thinks FREEDOM in Christ Jesus stead or under grace is without boundaries and precautionary measures. Unfortunately, many have not taken time to read the clauses in Galatians 5:1, 13 (1-25), as to not using their freedom or liberty in Christ Jesus for FLESH-RULED behaviours. Hence many do not know how to BEHAVE themselves in the house of God, for which Apostle Paul cautioned, charged, admonished and exhorted Timothy in such respect as in the Holy writ:
“These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15 but if I tarry long, that thou MAYEST KNOW HOW THOU OUGHTEST TO BEHAVE thyself in the HOUSE of God, which is the CHURCH of the living God, the pillar and ground of the TRUTH” 1 Timothy 3:14-15.
Apostle Paul was such an outstanding Apostle, who knew what it means to hold the mystery of the Gospel FAITH in PURE CONSCIENCE and to live in GOOD and FAITHFUL CONSCIENCE toward God and toward men in respect [Acts 24:16; 1 Timothy 3:9]. As such he could hand over the failing UNFAITHFUL BRETHREN to satan to teach such the needed lesson to value their FAITH peradventure; and to help such see the need to live Scripturally FAITHFUL in all that pertains to doing life and living godly in Christ Jesus stead [Colossians 1:28-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1-6].
He could do this on the principle of knowing the responsibility and accountability on his shoulder as an OVERSEER over God’s heritage, in order to present them perfect – complete, whole – as one that’s being looked up for spiritual guidance toward God in Christ Jesus stead; also, for the reason of the abundant of grace in revelation that he has received of God in the Gospel [Colossians 1:28-29; Galatians 1:11-24].
However, the same Apostle Paul, in order to ACCOUNT FAITHFULLY to his MINISTERIAL set CALL and PURSUIT in God in Christ Jesus stead, was able also to SAY and ACCOUNT graciously and gracefully of the FAITHFUL BRETHREN about him; these are people he can ascertain and account of their being FAITHFUL and in FAITHFULNESS in Christ without a shadow of – RESPECT of persons or for any GAIN as some may be lured to do. He knows the implications of such PRINCIPLED responsibility and accountability to be an OVERSEER over God’s heritage and precious people for their spiritual well-being in Christ Jesus stead. Hence a Gospel Minister, POSITIONED to ATTEST and ACCOUNT of the FAITH of the flocks must see it as a SACRED duty, privileged and opportunity to SERVE FAITHFUL and FAITHFULLY toward God and toward men without sentiment, prejudice, dissimulation and irrespective.
Herein are few examples of FAITHFUL Brethren in Christ Jesus as accredited to Apostle Paul and Peter Account and not limited however:
** Tychicus – (A BELOVED Brother, A FAITHFUL Minister and Fellow servant in the Lord) – Colossians 4:7-8; Ephesians 6:21-22.
** Onesimus – (A FAITHFUL and BELOVED Brother) – Colossians 4:9.
** Epaphras – (A Dear Fellowservant and FAITHFUL Minister) – Colossians 1:7.
** Timotheus – (A BELOVED Son and FAITHFUL in the Lord) – 1 Corinthians 4:17.
** Lydia – (A BELOVED and FAITHFUL Woman in the Lord) Acts 16:14-16.
** Silvanus – (A FAITHFUL Brother) – 1 Peter 5:12.
There are other FAITHFUL Brethren though not mentioned as Ephesians 1:1 will enjoin of those in Christ Jesus. The essence of these mentioned, is to indicate that our being FAITHFUL is not only TOWARD God, but also TOWARD men – especially those who are place of God to OVERSEE your spiritual well-being in Christ Jesus stead. They have a responsibility and accountability in principle to ensure they bestow and commit Kingdom Ministerial work only to the FAITHFUL Brethren – 2 Timothy 2:1-3; for not all in the house of God have FAITH or rather are endeavouring to live FAITHFUL to the CAUSE of God and toward men – 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5.
SELAH – PAUSE AND THINK.
SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS WORTH PONDERING IN CONTEXT:
“Obey them that have the RULE over you, and SUBMIT yourselves: for they WATCH for your souls, as they that MUST GIVE ACCOUNT, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” Hebrews 13:17.
“Be thou DILIGENT to KNOW the STATE of thy FLOCKS, and LOOK WELL to thy HERDS” Proverbs 27:23.
“Let a man so ACCOUNT of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and STEWARDS OF THE MYSTERIES of God. 2 Moreover it is REQUIRED in STEWARDS, that a man be found FAITHFUL. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self” 1 Corinthians 4:1-3.
REV. CHUKIE MORSI