Be Faithful

Be faithful.

By nature, I like to see the fruit of my labor. I like to get things done. I like to turn around after my journey and see the things I have built. I feel like a solid Christian. When I think about my legacy, I immediately think of the tangible fruit that I will leave behind. That is how I am wired.

However, God is after faithfulness. Check out Hebrews 11, commonly referred to as the “faith hall of fame.” Just read how each verse begins….

4 It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.
5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.”[a] For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God.6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
7 It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.
8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.
11 It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed[b] that God would keep his promise.

Over and over, the people mentioned in Hebrews 11 are commended for their faith, not their fruit. All of the fruit is preceded by great faith. If you continue reading in Hebrews 11, people are commended for dying for their faith, seemingly with no fruit. The point is FAITH, not FRUIT.

The awesome thing……fruit always follows faithfulness. The fruit may not be a tangible project or ministry or building or business. The fruit may be faithfully making disciples at home, day after day. The fruit may be quietly walking through a difficult time with someone. That type of fruit will last forever.

Live faithfully today.