Faith Produces Faithfulness

Polycarp was a second century Christian who lived at the time of Roman persecution.

This godly man, one of the bishops of the church at Smyrna, managed to escape persecution for almost his entire life. However, at age 86, he was suddenly a target of the Roman government.

Friends urged him to flee and go into hiding. Polycarp refused. When the soldiers came to his door, he let them in and said, “God’s will be done.” Historians record that he was brought before the local proconsul, Statius Quadratus, who interrogated him in front of a curious crowd of bystanders.

By all accounts the aged saint seemed unfazed by the interrogation and the threats of being thrown to wild beasts or burned at the stake. Polycarp just told Quadratus that while the proconsul’s fire lasts but a little while, the fires of judgment, “reserved for the ungodly cannot be quenched.”

“Swear,” urged the Proconsul, “reproach Christ, and I will set you free.”

“86 years have I served him,” Polycarp declared, “and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?”

Quadratus then commanded Polycarp to be tied to the stake. The fire was set. And as the flames consumed him, this faithful disciple died praying to God.

Ironically the Lord’s exhortation to the church at Smyrna through the beloved John was “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Rev 2:10). Polycarp knew what it meant to be faithful.

Yesterday, we discussed Paul’s pronouncement “There is one faith (Eph. 4:5), As we pointed out “the faith” is the faith of the gospel (Phil. 1:27). Our justification in Christ is predicated on our faith in the faith (Rom. 5:1-2). Faith produces faithfulness.

Our Example

Jesus was Polycarp’s example of faithfulness. And ours. In fact one of Jesus’ many titles is “Faithful.” (Rev. 19:11). He is called “a faithful High Priest” (Heb 2:17). “The Faithful Witness” (Rev. 1:5). And “the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness” (Rev 3:14).

Jesus came to earth with a desire to do the Father’s will. To please Him.. To be faithful. His decisions were based on that faithful commitment. And His focused determination was to faithfully fulfill His mission. When Peter tried to stop Him, Jesus rebuffed his attempts. Jesus was set on going to Jerusalem. Of being betrayed. Arrested. Tried. And murdered. He was faithful.

If we are to really be Jesus’ disciples, we must be faithful. Not in name only. But in word. In deed. In attitude. And in action.

The word “faithfulness,” of course, comes from “faith” which has to do with our trust in God. Our belief in Him. His word. And His promises. It is fidelity. Assurance. Reliability.

Three Applications of faithfulness.

(1) Faithful Christians honor their commitments.

Commitment has to do with dedication. Devotion. And loyalty. We often sing, “To Christ be loyal and be true.” That’s commitment. Commitment to Christ. To our Confession. To His Word. And to His people.  The Psalmist challenges us to “commit your way unto the Lord,” and to “commit your works to the Lord” (Ps. 31:5, 37:5).

(2) Faithful Christians stick to their convictions.

Conviction is more than belief. Howard Hendricks once said, “A belief is something you will argue about. A conviction is something you will die for.” Like Polycarp.

Convictions are not for sale. Convictions overcome Satan’s temptations. Convictions steady us through the storm. . Convictions drive us toward the goal. The Bible says that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

(3) Faithful Christians forge ahead with constancy.

Being steadfast is the hallmark of faithfulness. Disciples are reliable. Dependable. Trustworthy. It is an unwavering confidence that a person can be counted on. Even when times are tough. Challenging. And require personal sacrifice. The faithful Christian is not hot and cold. On and off. In and out. Up and down. He is steady. Unfaltering. Unshakeable. Unflappable.

May we live our lives so that one day we can hear those sweet words: “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.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman