Faithfulness in Difficult Times

KEY VERSE: “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” —I Corinthians 4:2

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: I Corinthians 4:1, 2, 6-16

AS STEWARDS OF our Great God, we are called to lay down our lives in his service now, and to serve him in glory throughout eternity. Paul reminds us that our service should be with reverence: “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”—Heb. 12: 28

The word ‘wherefore’ is very significant. It indicates that the ‘kingdom’ has been under discussion in the preceding context. Scanning this context we find the ‘kingdom’ presented to us in a most inspiring manner. It is shown as if we were standing on a mountain. And how awe-inspiring is the view before us! We see “Mount Zion,” and the “city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.”—vs. 22

In that kingdom arrangement, as we visualize it from the vantage point of the promises of God, we see “Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant.” (vs. 24) Throughout the age Jesus has been with his followers in spirit even as he promised: “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world [age].” (Matt. 28:20) He has been with us as our Advocate and Elder Brother. He has also been our Head—the Head of the church which is his body. (Eph. 1:22,23) But now faith’s vision sees him in the kingdom as ‘Mediator’ of the New Covenant.

The reference here is to the promised New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-34) which is to be made during the kingdom with “the house of Israel and the house of Judah,” and extended to embrace all mankind—“all the families of the earth.” (Gen. 12:3) Jesus will be the Mediator of that covenant, and we, if faithful, will be associated with him in that mediatorship. What a prospect! When that covenant has been consummated and its work accomplished, all mankind will have been enlightened with the truth concerning the greatness of our God, and the humble, obedient ones will have been reconciled to him.

“The blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel,” is another aspect of “Mount Sion,” to which we have approached by faith. (Heb. 12:24) Abel’s blood cried out for justice against Cain, his murderer. But the blood of Christ will speak on behalf of the entire sin-cursed and dying race, offering life to all who accept this gift of God’s love and obey the laws of the kingdom. This blood will seal the New Covenant and make possible man’s reconciliation to God.

Paul declares that it is a “kingdom which cannot be moved.” In the world around us there is nothing stable—nothing secure. Disintegration and chaos are everywhere apparent. We are living in difficult times. But we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved. We are sure of what we have, for we know that our great God and Heavenly Father is faithful. What does it matter if “the world and her pursuits will perish,” and if “her beauty’s fading like a flower”? We are receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, where there will be peace and joy, not for a time, but for eternity.

Our great and loving God is not selfish, nor does he appeal to our selfishness. In the kingdom it will be our privilege to extend the blessings of peace and joy and life to the whole world of mankind. How such a prospect should crystallize our determination that, by his grace, we will continue to serve him acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

How we rejoice in our present service of proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom we are “receiving.” David wrote, “All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power, to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.”—Ps. 145:9-12

What an incentive to be faithful stewards!

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