The word faithful simply means to be trustworthy.  It carries the idea of being reliable and constant.  The house of God needs members who possess this characteristic.  Local churches can only be at their best when their members can be trusted to be faithful participates in the work of the Lord.  Consistency is the key to faithfulness (1 Corinthians 15:58).

While this is critical for the salvation of the souls of individual Christians, it is also very necessary for the overall health of the local church.  I have found over the years that being consistent is a challenge for many in the church.  Those who master the art of consistency become great assets to the church because they are trustworthy and reliable.

The first sign of a faithful church member is consistent attendance at worship services.  Attending all services of the local church is commanded by God.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
²⁴  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵  not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

To willfully neglect this command is not only a sin against God, it serves as an example that one is not committed to the well-being of the local church.  Instead of being faithful, those who do not assemble with the saints as they should show themselves to be selfish, not considering the other members of the local church.  How do you behave in the house of God?  Is it your aim to stir up others to love and good works by your presence at all worship services, or do you selfishly forsake the assembling?  The church needs you to be faithful.

The church needs members who live faithful lives morally.  Members of the church who are living with unrepented sin in their lives are unfaithful.  They bring shame upon the house of God.  As Christians, we are exhorted to live in such a way that does not disgrace Christ or bring reproach upon His people.  James reminds us that a part of having a pure religion is keeping ourselves unstained from the world (James 1:27).  Peter had something to say about this as well.

1 Peter 2:12 (ESV)
¹²  Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

There are other areas where we need to be faithful members of the house of God.  The church needs faithful givers.  The work of the church is not financed by business ventures or social activities; it is supported by the first day of the week offering made by saints (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).  Are you doing your part?  Do you give faithfully on the first day of the week?

The church needs members who are reliable when it comes to evangelism, prayer, Bible study, and even attitude.  One of the greatest things you can do for a local church is to have a good attitude toward the leaders of the church and the overall work it is trying to do.  How do you behave in the house of God?  I hope we can all say that we are behaving faithfully.  

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