Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to further the faith of Gods elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness." (Titus 1:1 NIV)
We, as His church, are God's chosen people! And as God's chosen people, we are also called to maintain faith and knowledge of the truth as seen in our worship (Titus 1:1). As God's chosen people who live by faith, we are all blessed together with Abraham, who believed (Gal. 3:8-9). Abraham's loyalty to God was tested when he was asked to sacrifice his son, Isaac, and he was actually ready to sacrifice his only son to God (Gen. 22:1-19). Until the end of his life, he continued to fulfill his calling to find the land promised by God, and this was faithful faith. Finally, Abraham ended his battle of faith well. Abraham's life should also be an example for us. This is the race that the apostle Paul meant, that he kept his faith until the end of his life (2 Tim. 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith). Keeping the faith does not only mean until death remaining a Christian who goes to worship wherever we want. The race of faith, or what is the same as the race that is required for us, is trying to understand what God wants personally and to do it. Just as Abrahams presence in this world was willed by God to carry out Gods will and plan, so too is our existence on this earth God willed to carry out His will and plan. If we are one of Abrahams children or are given the opportunity to fight for faith like Abraham, it means we are important people in Gods eyes. Just as Abraham was important as Gods chosen one who kept the faith, so it is also important for each of us as Gods chosen ones to maintain faith in our worship. We must continue to strive to always do Gods will and fulfill His plan. The devil will continue to try to prevent believers, one of which is to worship where we want, not where He planted us. In the end times, many Christians do not carry out their worship according to God's will, but they only do it according to their own desires, not because of sincerity and firm faith (Heb. 10:19-25). The oldest devil tries to walk around and works hard trying to swallow anyone he can pounce on. We must fight with perseverance and firm faith, meaning remaining faithful in faith like Abraham. All true believers experience suffering in the struggle to defend their faith (1 Pet. 5:8-9 Be sober and alert! Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Resist him with steadfast faith, for you know that all your brothers throughout the world suffer the same suffering). We as disciples of God are called to train ourselves to worship (1 Tim. 4:7). We must be especially faithful to worship in the place that God has appointed or where we have been planted. Just as when the Lord Jesus was tempted, He said to the devil, You shall worship (proskuneo) the Lord your God, and serve Him only (latruo)! That is why we must also resist the devil. Maintaining faith does not only mean remaining a Christian until death who goes to church as we wish, but also trying to understand what God wants personally and doing it in the place that God has determined. Let us continue to maintain faith in carrying out true worship in this end time, Amen!
By Pastor Silwanus Obadja M.Th.