Faithfulness. Commitment. Duty. These words are forever the heartbeat of any soldier and law enforcement agent. It is the sense of obligation—not out of guilt or shame—out of love of serving or giving of one’s life. It is the being there at the right place and at the right time when expected or needed. Tonight while reading a biography about the late reverend Dr. Peter Marshall, I was reminded of this when I read the following when Catherine Marshall noticed the Secret Service agent positioned on the platform during the church service. “One was the eternal vigilance of the Secret Service men…He stood in the left front section of the church during the entire service. Never once did he allow himself to become interested in any part of the service. His eyes were never still. They searched tirelessly back and forth across the gathering for any unusual or suspicious movement. I have never witnessed such faithful and disciplined attention to duty.”
It is this similar compulsion that propelled Jesus throughout His ministry and purpose/passion. We are reminded of this with the following verses. 2 Timothy 2:13, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” Deuteronomy 31:6, “…He will not leave you nor forsake you.” And a host of others follow that same thought. And because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, God is always steadfast in being there whether we need Him or not: in compassion, mercy, healing, direction, comfort, guidance, and salvation.
But one verse of scripture is a constant and sobering reminder of our faithfulness (or rather our lack). When the chips were down and Jesus needed His men the most—even more so His chosen three—where did He find them? And when our pastor/church needs things done—asked or just out of a desire for His Kingdom—will the cry be the same as Jesus declared at the end of Luke 18:8, “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes will He really find faith on the earth?” Jesus warned--although this will occur in the future; but it is, nonetheless, important for us to note and be cautious--in Matthew 24:24, "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." I am not sharing this with the concern of the false teachers, although that is important to note because the pew will follow what the head says, but the concern that the elect (Christians) will be deceived. This is very prevalent today with women preaching and very limp-wristed preachers who are concerned more with popularity of themselves versus making Jesus more popular. Regardless, where are the faithful today?
Faithfulness is not just something that gets pinned on someone like a medal affixed to a soldier. Faithfulness is the drive whether he/she gets the recognition/reward or not and they are noticed or not. And regardless when others are about their own desires and ambitions, this faithful person is dutifully at his/her post. Will this person pray even when not seen or asked? Will this person be committed to their employment, marriage, or ministry? Will this person love and care for the Church (and its building)? Will this person maintain a loving and serving heart to continue to give all the while being ignored or others around him/her are uncommitted?
While looking up a verse of scripture I accidentally came upon 2 Timothy 3:13 and what caught my attention was the word imposter (found in that verse). The word imposter means someone who pretends but whose intentions are not real or sincere. It is amazing (yet very sad) when opportunity came because of Covid-19, where were the employees, students, teachers, lay ministers (or even the ordained/professional minister)? Were they still at work on time or about their studies as or more diligent than at school or in prayer and Bible reading?
When Jesus returns—and His return is very soon—what will He find? Will he really find His people faithful on the earth?