There is only one thing that matters – faithfulness!

What is it that really matters in life? What has true value? My degree of faithfulness in my allotted time here on earth is the only thing that really matters.

Committed to God

We recently had a funeral service for a young man. He was only in his mid-thirties when he was taken from his friends and family to a better place. Yet his life had not been in vain. He had committed his life to God many years earlier, a fact which many people could confirm.

The hall is filled to capacity with people wanting to pay tribute to this young man.  Throughout his youth, he had served the people around him without complaining. Whether he was feeling well or not, he was always positive and considerate; eager to do God’s will.

At the end of the memorial service, the officiator rose to speak. Moved, he stood before the large group of young people who were there, and said, “There is only one thing that matters: faithfulness!” He earnestly wanted to get this message across.  His words made a deep impression upon me.

What is faithfulness?

A faithful person is someone whom God can trust, in whose heart He can implant His laws and commandments, and who will carefully obey them in every detail.  A faithful person is immovable; he does not waver.

“I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me.” Psalm 119:30. These two things go hand in hand: faithfulness and obeying God’s laws.  We find these laws and commandments in the Bible, and God quickens them in our hearts.  I must be faithful to obey these laws.

Whoever walks on the way of faithfulness also walks on the way of obedience  in everything: obedient to each commandment that God inscribes in your heart—always, without exception.

Even though it is difficult and my feelings are against me, I am faithful. Even though I have to give up my own will, I am faithful. Even though it feels unrighteous, I am faithful. It costs something to be faithful, but just think how valuable such a person is for God!

God Himself is a master of faithfulness.  He keeps His promises, and stands firmly behind His word at all times.  When I do what He asks me, He is faithful to pour out an abundance of blessing in return. I can be absolutely certain of that; first here on earth, and later in heaven. (Luke 18:30)

Am I faithful enough?

So, am I faithful enough? “Far from it,” I must acknowledge, sitting there in my seat. I pray silently that God may keep me in His will for the rest of my life, that I always be ready to give up my own life, and be faithful to make the sacrifices God points out. May I be diligent in everything I do, whether in big things or small things.

Who knows how long my life’s course will be? I need to seize each opportunity to prepare myself for heaven – that is how I want to live my life. Today I can take the first step on the way of faithfulness, and never look back.

When we get to heaven, we will receive a new name, which characterizes how we lived our lives on earth. It is written in Isaiah 56:5, “…I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.” Won’t it be wonderful if God can call me by the name of “Faithfulness,” when I meet Him one day!