Most of the Time

One day a preacher was talking to a man who was supposed to be a Christian. The man told the preacher that he went to church services “most of the time” and seemed to think this put him in good relationship with God. I personally know of many people who fall into that same category. They “go to church” every now and then and expect that to fulfill their religious responsibilities and consider themselves faithful to God.

But think about a few things that we might put into that same perspective and then see what conclusions we might draw.

• What if a husband or a wife was faithful most of the time?
• What if your car started most of the time?
• What if your heart beat most of the time?
• What if your children obeyed you most of the time?
• What if an employee showed up for work most of the time?
• What if your employer gave you your paycheck most of the time?
• What if your water heater worked most of the time?

What are your conclusions? Would that husband or wife be considered faithful? Would you be satisfied with that car? Would you worry about your heart? Would an employer keep that employee? Would you continue to work for that employer? Would you replace that water heater? Would you conclude that these represent examples of being faithful?

I know I may sound like a preacher when I make the next statement but I hope you will consider it. If we wouldn’t place those examples above in the category of being faithful, then why should one think he or she could please God by being “faithful” only part of the time?

Jesus calls for commitment in Matthew 16:24 when he says to take up the cross and follow Him. In Luke 14:26-33 he asks us to count the cost in order to follow Him. He said that if we put our hand to the plow we are not to look back in Luke 9:62.

Faithfulness is not found in the amount of outward show of religion but rather flows from what is within the heart. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15, “For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.”

See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.

Love, Tony