What the Faithful Person Does

What does faith require beyond mere belief?

Text: Rev. 2:10.
Faith is one of the most important ideas in the Bible, but it is also one of the most misunderstood.
If salvation is for those who have been "faithful" to God (Rev. 2:10), then we certainly need to know what's involved in that.
From a scriptural standpoint, what does the faithful person do that others don't do?

In the Bible, faith is more than just believing, but believing itself is no small thing, especially these days. Saving faith starts by believing that certain things are true - Jn. 8:24.
But what is belief? Belief means accepting something as true based on evidence or testimony rather than personal verification. It always involves a choice based on our assessment of the evidence -- for example, a jury reaching a verdict.
1. Evidence.
2. Choice.
3. Belief.
Much of what the gospel asks us to believe is "counter intuitive" and "politically incorrect." If our Creator has revealed Himself to us, are we prepared to accept what He says even when it is hard to believe?
How "faithful" are we in this area? Do we really and truly believe claims of the gospel like these:
1. "We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ" (2 Cor. 5:10).
2. "The wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23).
3. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1).
If we're doubtful about any of our most important beliefs, what should we do?
Here is what we should do: we need to sink our minds into the Scriptures and stay there until we're ready to take a stand -- either for or against the gospel of Christ.

Even in human affairs, it is truth that leads to trust. The more we learn of God's truthfulness, the more we can trust God Himself.
God asks that we put our total trust in Him, but we are reluctant to let go of other safety ropes -- we
are tempted to "hedge our bets." Cf. Isa. 31:1.
We may believe the truth about God, but how completely do we really trust Him?
1. For food, clothing, and shelter - Mt. 6:31-33.
2. For help when persecuted - 1 Pt. 4:19.
3. For salvation - Eph. 1:12,13.
If there was ever a time to put "all our eggs in one basket," it is in our dealings with God. If we trust God, we will actually commit ourselves to Him - 2 Tim. 1:12.

Just as truth leads to trust, trust leads to obedience.
Jesus asked, "Why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?" (Lk. 6:46). Cf. Col. 2:6.
Baptism is the first test of our attitude toward obedience - Ac. 22:16. If salvation is for the faithful, the future does not look bright for the person who balks at the very first act of faith that God requires - Col. 2:12.
But baptism is just the beginning. From that point forward, faith without works is dead - Jas. 1:22-25;
2:14-26.
A lifesaving drug will not help the person who merely has "faith" in it -- he must take the medicine!
Jesus Christ is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him - Hb. 5:9.

To return to our text, Jesus said, "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Rev. 2:10).
The question is not just whether we have accepted the faith, but whether we have "fought the good fight . . . finished the race . . . [and] kept the faith" (2 Tim. 4:7).
We will make mistakes. We will stumble. Victory does not consist in never falling down -- but in getting up just one more time than we have fallen down.
It comes down to the matter of basic character: what kind of people do we choose to be?

Without faith, it is impossible to please God - Hb. 11:6.
But faith must result in faithfulness - Hb. 6:11,12.
Can our Lord count on us not merely to believe in Him but also to trust Him, to obey Him, and to remain faithful to Him.
Will Christ be able to say to us, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord" (Mt. 25:21)?
It is good to "examine" ourselves as to whether we are "in the faith" (2 Cor. 13:5).