In the same way, we must reflect on how we have performed in our Christian life. Each of us will need to account to our almighty God for how we have lived our life. Jesus said, in Matt 25:21, “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ The world measures success by academic achievements, career aspirations, and rising up the corporate ladder. The yardstick for Christians is simple—our faithfulness to the will of God.
God has given us a precious gift—salvation grace through Christ Jesus. He has also given us spiritual gifts. The gifts listed in Romans 12:6–8 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” You may be gifted in teaching, serving, giving, encouraging, showing kindness, or leading, etc. While each of us would has received at least a gift from God, all that God requires from us is simple faithfulness. Are we using our gifts for God’s glory, or are we like the wicked servant in Matthew 25, who did not invest his gift, but wasted it away? If you are faithful in exercising your gifts, God is faithful, and will multiply them manifold. God will then be pleased with you. In the same way, if you are not faithful with your gifts, and do not exercise your gifts, then God will be displeased, and will take away the very gifts He sent you. Matthew 25:29 says, “For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”
There are many ministries in our church. The faithful few are involved in various ministries, and we would like to strongly encourage that all to be involved in some ways or another. Serving, contrary to what some may think, increases your faithfulness, and we would not be less well off in terms of time. In fact, by serving, we see and many can testify of God’s faithfulness. We can fully realise our gifts when we take the first step of coming forward to serve in one of the ministries. As you remain faithful in the ministry, God will multiply your ability to do well in that ministry. When we first started in 2009, we had only a handful of pianists. We have been faithful, and God has rewarded us with many who can now play a musical instrument. Would we come forward to serve in the music ministry?
There is a common universal precious gift that God has given all of us—that of the Lord Christ Jesus. It is critical to exercise faith in believing in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour. Only when you done so, will He then endow you with spiritual gifts, as in Romans 12:6–8 (above). May I also remind those who grow up in Christian homes, not to take your Christian faith for granted. This cannot be inherited, and you will also not grow to be a Christian simply by being nurtured as one. I would further like to strongly encourage you to reflect and ensure your salvation. Faithfulness has to be exercised in serving God, ‘For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’ (Mark 10:45).
As much as God requires us to exercise our faithfulness, more importantly. we should continue to walk closely with Him, which in itself is serving God and following His will. As we end the year, let us take a moment to reflect on our Christian walk. Have we been faithful in our daily walk with God, in how we lived out our Christian testimony and witnessing for Christ?
May the Lord find us faithful for this year and beyond, and tell us at heaven’s gates, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’