A CALL TO BE FAITHFUL

October 20, 2014

A CALL TO BE FAITHFUL

Revelation 3:7–13

Frances Reid

Central Truth

Whether you have great influence or little influence, be faithful in all circumstances.

"'I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.'" (Revelation 3:8)

To the Church in Philadelphia

7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.

8 ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

I work for a law firm. I know you've probably called to mind scenes from popular movies where savvy lawyers and their trusty sidekicks manipulate a tiny loophole in the law to get their clients off. I love those shows, but the reality is a lot less glitzy and entertaining. The shows do get one thing right: laws are open to interpretation. There are multiple ways to exploit the language and loopholes of the law to serve the needs of the client, and most lawyers are very good at this. In this environment, it is counterintuitive to have a belief in a single steadfast truth.

Because I am just one of a few believers in a largely faithless environment, I often feel like a person of little power (influence) and can get discouraged by the impact I have on my officemates. But just like the Philadelphians, I am called to faithfully keep His Word and leave the outcome to Him. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, "He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."

That is such a relief. When I'm focused on being faithful to the Word of God at work, I am less anxious and often more available to being used by Him. I don't know the specific ways God is challenging you to be more faithful to His Word, but for me in my workplace, it means I am not argumentative, I speak boldly about my faith when given an opportunity to do so, and I care for my co-workers when they are hurting. As I am faithful to the Word and image of Christ, He will bring my co-workers to Himself.

God knows where we work, where we spend our leisure time, and who we spend our time with. In all those circumstances, know that the Lord commends us for being faithful, and He will take care of the rest.

1. In which areas is God challenging you to be faithful to His Word?

2. What are some practical ways you can be the hands and feet of Christ in the lives of the people you spend the most time with?

3. Which areas of your life are you anxiously trying to manage instead of resting in Christ?