Faithfully

The word “faithfully” is used in ten verses in the Bible and only once in the New Testament, “Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers” (3 John 5). John uses this word to point out the attitude Gaius had toward others. In the Greek language, it means a person who shows themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties. In our world, sometimes it is hard to trust what people tell us. From the news and politicians to friends and family, we want people to deal with us faithfully. And if that’s how we want to be treated, we should treat others the same way (Matthew 7:12).

As in the case John is describing, in hospitality, act faithfully. Jesus said those that would hear well done, good and faithful servant would be those that were faithful in their care for others, “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” (Matthew 25:40). When the kids were younger, we always made sure that during a gospel meeting that the visiting preacher ate supper with us a couple of times during the week. That hospitality brought our kids closer to Christ by being able to visit and speak to these men in a more relaxed setting then the church building. And who knows, perhaps we will entertain angels unaware by faithfully being hospitable (Hebrews 13:2). 

We must also act faithfully in keeping the commandments of God. John would write, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). Satan wants us to believe that we cannot faithfully keep the commands of God, that it is too much of a struggle. God says we can, and I trust the Lord! Faithfully keeping the commands of God brings us into a closer relationship with Him. It tells the world there is a better way to live and allows us to let our light shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). 

In 2 Chronicles 19:9, God tells the people, “Thus you shall act in the fear of the Lord, faithfully and with a loyal heart” when explaining the reform that would take place under Jehoshaphat. This truth remains today, as Christians that are trying to change the world, live faithfully with a loyal heart!

The Power of Love

Before our first child Ben was born, my mother told me that even though I didn’t know how I would be able to love another person as much as I love Kristina, the greatness of that love I’d have for him would make its way into my heart. And she repeated that advice each time we had another kid, I didn’t know how I could love someone as much as I loved them, and then they were born and sure enough, the power of love changed my heart over and over again.

Love has the power to change all of us. Perhaps this is why love is stressed by God so many times in the Scriptures. It is used 362 times in 323 verses of the Bible. Love is best described by the apostle John, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:7-11). 

It is the power of love that brings people from different backgrounds together, the shared love they have of God and His Son unites us as one, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:27-29).

It is the power of love that puts out the fires of anger toward one another, “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins” (Proverbs 10:12), “He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends” (Proverbs 17:9).

The power of love cannot be ignored! If we are really trying to change who we are and influence those around us, loving one another is a good place to start!