84. Faith demands Faithfulness.

These virtues are not one and the same. Just because somebody has faith or the certainty that there is only one God, it doesn't mean they will be faithful to God, even to the point of death! But Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were! To tell Nebuchadnezzar that 'the God we serve is able to save us if we are thrown into the blazing fire', was a bold statement of Faith. But to tell that 'even if he does not, we want you to know, O king that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you set up', was a radical statement of their Faithfulness. (Daniel 3:17-18) On hearing such a declaration of their faith, God couldn't wait but leapt into the flames together with them that Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement.'He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed and the fourth one looks like a son of the gods."'( Vs15) Faith demands faithfulness! It is a conscious choice that we make to worship him no matter what. As Habbakuk said, "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, YET will I rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior." (Habbakuk 3:17-18) The reason for that joy was his certainly of God's promises! The Gospel is the proof of God's faithfulness to his promises that were made to Abraham and to his descendants. In turn God expects those who are of the faith of Abraham to be faithful to him, even to the point of death! "These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again ... Be faithful, even to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life."(Revelation 2:10) Amen.