BE STEADFAST
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." - 1Cor 15:58
The concept of steadfastness in the scripture deals with consistency and this is lacking in the faith today. Many people's consistency is dependent on gain and applause, if there is no attention - they will suddenly develop another passion or calling.
Today you have a ministry in music and tomorrow you discover that you also can preach the word; then you start with the children and discovered that you have had a missed call on that, and that you were just called to be a believer sitting in the congregation and worshipping. I am being nice today stating that it is inconsistency, but the truth is that you are also confused.
There are too many inconsistent people today; anyone who is inconsistent will be directionless in life, anyone who has passion for something and not consistent in a given assignment will never become fulfilled. Passion is not equal to faithfulness.
The scriptures talks about the believer who is neither hot or cold, and it becomes worrisome that today a person raises the hope of the brethren of a good life, and tomorrow we see that the wind has blown some people away.
Consistency has nothing to do with season, steadfastness requires being faithful and truthful in season and out of season. Believing and holding strong to the things which you have believed. Those who rise in the faith are consistent with their assignments and their life is consistent with their mission.
STEADFASTNESS IS FAITHFULNESS
"Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful." - 1Cor 4:2
Dear friend, I do not see a man who is not faithful in little or many things as a consistent or steadfast man; if you are unfaithful in the things committed to your hands - you cannot be said to be steadfast. Maybe you call yourself multitalented or multitasking which is very possible, but if you are not consistent in any of them, then you may as well have missed it.
The scripture says, 'be steadfast, immovable always abounding' - I need you at this point, to take note of the order at which they occur in the scripture. If you are consistent, then you can be firm that is immovable, then fruitfulness can occur; and we know that for certainty that the labour will not be in vain. I must also point out that the inconsistent man may be labouring, going here and there; but because he isn't faithful in one thing - he is shaky and never fruitful.
Those who are inconsistent in the church today are those, who are spiritual analyst, they have a spectator ministry even in the ministry they are called upon. They seldom commit themselves to the music ministry and anytime they come around for rehearsal, they are critical of everything and never contributors. They have many reasons for not being faithful.
"If we are faithless, He remains faithful He cannot deny Himself." - 2Tim 2:13
One of the very strong attributes of God is His faithfulness. God has been consistent with His nature since before the world was created. Yes because the world is a concept of God and not the other way round. God is beyond the world... He has been faithful in the things we have believed Him to be overtime, and He has not for once been inconsistent.
The scripture says, it is expected in stewards to be found faithful, just as God is faithful, faithfulness is suppose to be found IN us. Faithfulness is also suppose to be our nature and we must be like Him in faithfulness, this is a prove of our steadfastness.
Matt 25:21 says, 'Thou good and faithful servant', the Lord seeks faithfulness from you, the Lord requires that you remain faithful to the little you have, if you are faithful in little much we be given to you. The problem in the world today is that we always want to prove faithfulness in big things and it doesn't work that way. Faithfulness is inside not acted, it doesn't jump on people.
STEADFASTNESS IS COMMITMENT
"But Jesus said to him, 'No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.'" - Luke 9:62
There are people who get born again today and tomorrow they willingly turn back on that decision, they commit themselves to the service of God in one area today and tomorrow they say they can't go ahead any more. These are inconsistent people.
The reason why many turn back on their commitments is because they are doubters, they become scared that God cannot carry them through, they see the storm and can't just take the risk. They decide not to go ahead with the deal anymore. This is not how to be steadfast, it cannot always go smooth, people will not always be nice and the atmosphere will not always be cool; but those who have committed themselves will be steadfast with the commitment.
Friend, a person who looks back on the plow is not fit, such a person is disqualified because the kingdom requires consistent fellows and that is suppose to sink inside you. It is better not to commit yourself at all than to commit yourself and then turn back.
"Better not to vow than to vow and not pay." - Ecc 5:5
The Lord considers those who are not committed to their vows as fools. Vows here to me, goes beyond pledging cash and all that, it extends to marriage vows, it touches our promise in the sanctuary, o, it also deals with what we tell people that, using the name of the Lord to underscore.
If it doesn't seem the way it appeared, would you still be committed to that marriage? If the mission work is beyond what you have thought it to be, would you turn back on that commitment. Many are so inconsistent today, that commitment doesn't ring a bell in their minds.
Commitment is faithfulness extended; commitment is sticking to what you are sure of, even though it seems as if it's not working. Those who have committed their lives to God do not seek other options in looking for solutions, because they are committed to God; they stick with Him.
STEADFASTNESS IS INTEGRITY
"So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands." - Psalm 78:72
Integrity is key in showing your steadfastness, if there is no integrity, all other features of consistency is flawed, if a person is faithful and commitment to the things of the Lord without integrity, such a person can be sure that God is not acknowledging anything from him.
Integrity is closely related to faithfulness, but integrity is men's testimony of us (this is stated in the context of this topic). It is possible to be committed and yet be dubious in dealings and this of course can not be said to be steadfastness in God's eye. It is a labour in vain.
Where a person lacks integrity, corruption of course will thrive and productivity will be scarce. If there is a need in the society today and even in the church, it is to find men of integrity who would not compromise their faithfulness or renege on their commitment. This should be of note to that person who wants to be steadfast.
"Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens." - Exo 18:21
Integrity is nobility in character and the strength of leadership any day and any time. It is in integrity that skillfulness is more pronounced. When a man compromises integrity, though skilled, he would lose the essence of leadership.
A man who has integrity is laying a foundation not to be moveable, a man who has integrity will not be a cheat and will not be unstable. It was integrity that saved that unbeliever called Abimelech, God saw his integrity and kept him from sleeping with Sarah. Integrity will keep a man from errors.
Hold on to your integrity as Job did, it is the capital that does not need insurance. If you have integrity, you have a reputation to keep. Any reputation without integrity is an illusion.
CONCLUSION:
You will become immovable if you are steadfast, and if youu are immovable, it therefore means that you have found a root for abounding fruitfulness.
Be steadfast.
God bless you and I love you
Akinsuroju Femi
© The Fundamentals
The concept of steadfastness in the scripture deals with consistency and this is lacking in the faith today. Many people's consistency is dependent on gain and applause, if there is no attention - they will suddenly develop another passion or calling.
Today you have a ministry in music and tomorrow you discover that you also can preach the word; then you start with the children and discovered that you have had a missed call on that, and that you were just called to be a believer sitting in the congregation and worshipping. I am being nice today stating that it is inconsistency, but the truth is that you are also confused.
There are too many inconsistent people today; anyone who is inconsistent will be directionless in life, anyone who has passion for something and not consistent in a given assignment will never become fulfilled. Passion is not equal to faithfulness.
The scriptures talks about the believer who is neither hot or cold, and it becomes worrisome that today a person raises the hope of the brethren of a good life, and tomorrow we see that the wind has blown some people away.
Consistency has nothing to do with season, steadfastness requires being faithful and truthful in season and out of season. Believing and holding strong to the things which you have believed. Those who rise in the faith are consistent with their assignments and their life is consistent with their mission.
STEADFASTNESS IS FAITHFULNESS
"Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful." - 1Cor 4:2
Dear friend, I do not see a man who is not faithful in little or many things as a consistent or steadfast man; if you are unfaithful in the things committed to your hands - you cannot be said to be steadfast. Maybe you call yourself multitalented or multitasking which is very possible, but if you are not consistent in any of them, then you may as well have missed it.
The scripture says, 'be steadfast, immovable always abounding' - I need you at this point, to take note of the order at which they occur in the scripture. If you are consistent, then you can be firm that is immovable, then fruitfulness can occur; and we know that for certainty that the labour will not be in vain. I must also point out that the inconsistent man may be labouring, going here and there; but because he isn't faithful in one thing - he is shaky and never fruitful.
Those who are inconsistent in the church today are those, who are spiritual analyst, they have a spectator ministry even in the ministry they are called upon. They seldom commit themselves to the music ministry and anytime they come around for rehearsal, they are critical of everything and never contributors. They have many reasons for not being faithful.
"If we are faithless, He remains faithful He cannot deny Himself." - 2Tim 2:13
One of the very strong attributes of God is His faithfulness. God has been consistent with His nature since before the world was created. Yes because the world is a concept of God and not the other way round. God is beyond the world... He has been faithful in the things we have believed Him to be overtime, and He has not for once been inconsistent.
The scripture says, it is expected in stewards to be found faithful, just as God is faithful, faithfulness is suppose to be found IN us. Faithfulness is also suppose to be our nature and we must be like Him in faithfulness, this is a prove of our steadfastness.
Matt 25:21 says, 'Thou good and faithful servant', the Lord seeks faithfulness from you, the Lord requires that you remain faithful to the little you have, if you are faithful in little much we be given to you. The problem in the world today is that we always want to prove faithfulness in big things and it doesn't work that way. Faithfulness is inside not acted, it doesn't jump on people.
STEADFASTNESS IS COMMITMENT
"But Jesus said to him, 'No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.'" - Luke 9:62
There are people who get born again today and tomorrow they willingly turn back on that decision, they commit themselves to the service of God in one area today and tomorrow they say they can't go ahead any more. These are inconsistent people.
The reason why many turn back on their commitments is because they are doubters, they become scared that God cannot carry them through, they see the storm and can't just take the risk. They decide not to go ahead with the deal anymore. This is not how to be steadfast, it cannot always go smooth, people will not always be nice and the atmosphere will not always be cool; but those who have committed themselves will be steadfast with the commitment.
Friend, a person who looks back on the plow is not fit, such a person is disqualified because the kingdom requires consistent fellows and that is suppose to sink inside you. It is better not to commit yourself at all than to commit yourself and then turn back.
"Better not to vow than to vow and not pay." - Ecc 5:5
The Lord considers those who are not committed to their vows as fools. Vows here to me, goes beyond pledging cash and all that, it extends to marriage vows, it touches our promise in the sanctuary, o, it also deals with what we tell people that, using the name of the Lord to underscore.
If it doesn't seem the way it appeared, would you still be committed to that marriage? If the mission work is beyond what you have thought it to be, would you turn back on that commitment. Many are so inconsistent today, that commitment doesn't ring a bell in their minds.
Commitment is faithfulness extended; commitment is sticking to what you are sure of, even though it seems as if it's not working. Those who have committed their lives to God do not seek other options in looking for solutions, because they are committed to God; they stick with Him.
STEADFASTNESS IS INTEGRITY
"So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands." - Psalm 78:72
Integrity is key in showing your steadfastness, if there is no integrity, all other features of consistency is flawed, if a person is faithful and commitment to the things of the Lord without integrity, such a person can be sure that God is not acknowledging anything from him.
Integrity is closely related to faithfulness, but integrity is men's testimony of us (this is stated in the context of this topic). It is possible to be committed and yet be dubious in dealings and this of course can not be said to be steadfastness in God's eye. It is a labour in vain.
Where a person lacks integrity, corruption of course will thrive and productivity will be scarce. If there is a need in the society today and even in the church, it is to find men of integrity who would not compromise their faithfulness or renege on their commitment. This should be of note to that person who wants to be steadfast.
"Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens." - Exo 18:21
Integrity is nobility in character and the strength of leadership any day and any time. It is in integrity that skillfulness is more pronounced. When a man compromises integrity, though skilled, he would lose the essence of leadership.
A man who has integrity is laying a foundation not to be moveable, a man who has integrity will not be a cheat and will not be unstable. It was integrity that saved that unbeliever called Abimelech, God saw his integrity and kept him from sleeping with Sarah. Integrity will keep a man from errors.
Hold on to your integrity as Job did, it is the capital that does not need insurance. If you have integrity, you have a reputation to keep. Any reputation without integrity is an illusion.
CONCLUSION:
You will become immovable if you are steadfast, and if youu are immovable, it therefore means that you have found a root for abounding fruitfulness.
Be steadfast.
God bless you and I love you
Akinsuroju Femi
© The Fundamentals
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