The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe
"The Focus of Faithfulness"
Greater faithfulness in our lives does not result from primarily focusing on our own diligence and trustworthiness. Certainly, we do not not ignore or neglect commitment to God as we seek to "exercise thyself rather unto godliness" (I Timothy 4:7). However, our faithfulness originates and proceeds from intense focus on the faithfulness of Another: "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith… consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." (Hebrews 12:2).
"We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works" (Ephesians 2:10).
The better we know the faithfulness of God in our hearts and minds, the more absorption of His spiritual light will result in reflection thereof. Who is He in His heart and mind? This is the question of our existence. Finding answers to this most vital of inquiries results in our trusting Him more genuinely and adequately, resulting in the works that always flow from true faith (James 2:20).
Let us make this specific. Where we face particular challenges of faithfulness in thought, attitude, word, and deed, what about our Lord do we not know, or not know well enough, that His light does not shine as it should in us? What aspect of His perfect trustworthiness will result in progress in our own? Deficits in our walk of faith and obedience reveal need to "grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18). This is particularly true since our hope for godliness lies completely in our Lord's presence within us as the Life of our lives. "We… live through Him" (I John 4:9). That which may lack in and of ourselves does not lack at all in the Christ who lives in ourselves. Thus, we remember the faithful Lord who dwells in us, making possible our faithfulness as we look to Him. "We shall live with Him by the power of God" (II Corinthians 13:4).
God made us to know Him, and to thereby live in and from the light of His countenance. "This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent" (John 17:3). Trustworthiness to Him in our lives flows from the trustworthiness of Him in our hearts. God Himself must serve as the focus of faithfulness whereby we shine as moons to His sun, absorbing His light and reflecting the power of His faithful promise…
"Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
(II Corinthians 3:18)
Weekly Memory Verse
He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
(Matthew 13:58)
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