We are all faced with different challenges in life.  Challenges are just a part of living.  These challenges should be welcomed, for life without any challenges is simply boring.

As Christians, we are challenged every day.  In summary, our challenge is to be faithful to Christ.  Faithfulness to Christ is the only way we can attain a crown of life (Revelation 2:10).  It begins with the condition of our hearts.  If our hearts are not right with God, we are not faithful to Christ, regardless of our actions.  The beginning of faithfulness, then,  is serving God with all our hearts. 

Psalm 119:10 (ESV)
¹⁰  With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 

No wonder David said, “Create in me a clean heart, O God…” (Psalm 51:10).

Faithfulness, however, is more than just having a heart that is right with God.  It involves demonstrating that our hearts are right by our living.  To be faithful to Christ is to be faithful in our attendance to worship services.   We are urged by the Holy Spirit, in Hebrews 10:25, not to forsake the assembling of the saints.  There is a lot more to being faithful than just attending services; but generally speaking, you can tell those who have made a commitment to Christ by how they attend.

The child of God who is too busy to give God three or four hours a week to gather with other Christians and worship Him is certainly not devoted to Christ.  What is more important than worshiping God?  A basketball game?  A family picnic?  An afternoon of rest and relaxation?  The fact is the kingdom must come first in our lives (Matthew 6:33).  Meet the challenge of being at every service (Sunday morning Bible class, worship services, both morning and night, Wednesday night Bible study, and all nights of gospel meetings).  This may be hard for some of you, but why not challenge yourself to be faithful.  Attending as you should—as you are commanded by God—is a part of being faithful to Christ.

Faithfulness also involves participating in the work of the Lord.  We should all challenge ourselves to be involved in the local church of which we are members (Ephesians 4:16). Do not just have your name in the directory, be an active member.  Get to know your brothers and sisters in Christ and help them when they are in need.  Use the talents that God has given you to help the local church be a stronger unit.  This is a challenge to be a worker for the Lord.  Remember, Jesus, Himself, once said, “I must work the works of Him that sent me while it is day…” (John 9:4).  That is the challenge set before us all.

Faithfulness to Christ also involves trying to win others to Him.  Can you think of a more noble challenge than winning souls?  Challenge yourself to take every opportunity to talk to others about Christ.  Look for opportunities, and when they come, seize them.  One reason many do not win souls to Christ is that they are too busy doing other things.  Use your time wisely toward those who are without (Colossians 4:1-6).

We are all familiar with challenges because we face them every day.  Let’s challenge ourselves to be all we can be for Christ.  Let’s challenge ourselves to be faithful.  

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.