By Bro. Jess Caraga, BCBP Cebu South
I have been in the brotherhood for a relatively short period of time. During this span of time and up to the present, I continue to be amazed of stories of how men of character had changed from bad to better then to good. But what amazes me more are stories of men in the brotherhood who had changed from better to worst, or something like that. As I reflect on the latter stories, it dawned upon me that joining the brotherhood for the wrong reasons does not prove to be fruitful.
Scripture says that you can give your body to be burned at the stake as a testimony, but without the proper motive – without love in your heart – you will die in vain.
I cannot help but recall that several years ago, I joined my first BCBP breakfast with the wrong intentions. But as I allowed God to prod me into coming back again and again every Saturday thereafter, I realized that I have allowed God to lead my life. My heart, which was lacking in faith, was filled with love.
As I immersed myself in the teachings of the brotherhood, it crossed my mind that some think of faithfulness as simply living without lust and getting victory over sinful habits. Others think it means being constant in bible reading, prayer, giving tithes and attending all the activities of the brotherhood. Still others think of it as going about doing good, or keeping pure by avoiding all that is evil and wicked. But for me, these things can never make us faithful to God.
My faith in God has been tested with fire. As I faced increasing trials while serving the lord through the brotherhood, I have noticed that the battle against evil had grown more intense, and my flesh had become weary. Over time, I allowed fear and doubt to creep in. I sometimes lose my childlike faith in God But as I look down the narrow road to a life dedicated to God, I can only see a limited time. I want, more than anything, to be rejoicing in hope, firm to the end. I don’t want to go out like the others I’ve seen, whose years were wasted because they didn’t know where they stood in serving the Lord.
Serving the Lord with faithfulness is not an optional matter. I have to serve God because He expects and demands allegiance from His servants. Maybe at the end of the day, I would love to hear the Lord say, “Welt done, thou good and faithful servant: thou has: been faithful over a few things, l will make thee ruler over many things: niter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matthew 25:27)
It is said that those who love and serve God faithfully are a blessing to others. They become the light that shines in a world of darkness; but when they lose their influence, they are good for nothing. So I continue to serve God faithfully in the hope that I, too, will find a brother or a sister who is faithful in the work and service to God.
