Among the qualities we must admire in others (and hopefully to be admired and found in ourselves) is FIDELITY. Perhaps fidelity is so admired because we experience it rarely. I firmly believe that the issues and problems besetting the church in our time is connected with FIDELITY.
Today, our lives can be filled with superficial encounters of the briefest kind. People stay together as long as it suits their interests or desires. We keep vows, promises and pledges as long as we find it convenient. The fabric of commitment has been greatly weakened in society as a whole. The very marrow of our relationships is as strong as the staying power of those who give their word. We have become a society which flocks to courts and lawyers in order to write and enforce contracts. We need it in writing. Words are easily forgotten or ignored. Even our written promises must be decided in the adversarial setting of the modern courtroom. We go so far as to seek pre-nuptial agreements knowing the marital promises made in June have a way of becoming divorce accusations in December. FIDELITY is admired because it is so rare.
WHAT IS FIDELITY? FIDELITY is a virtue (excellence or strength) of character by which we keep our word in the face of danger and personal loss. It is often said that times changes and with it our commitments. When we make a commitment, the circumstances are known. However, tomorrow or next week things may be different. This is certainly true. Yet what must endure is fidelity to our word regardless of the change of circumstances and the inconvenience that we may face. Our word cannot be binding only when things suit us or work to our advantage. Our various pledges and vows (husband, wife, pastor/minister, teacher, doctor, layer, accountant, farmer, student, and even our membership vows, etc.) can weigh heavy on our hearts. New obligations and even misfortunes can arise. What to do? The faithful person “KEEPS ON KEEPING ON.” The faithful person continues to keep watch and refuses to just walk away.
The Pentecost Season is a powerful example of Jesus’ fidelity. In chapter 14 of the Gospel of John we read: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.” (John 14:18-20). Pentecost is the day Jesus promised. Jesus did not leave the disciples desolate. He does not abandon us either. Pentecost is a celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the public witnessing of the faith-community. Through His passion, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus remained faithful. He told His followers of His constant love and guidance. Pentecost-THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT-is one of the great joys, for the Holy Spirit has been poured into our hearts. We can BELIEVE and TRUST the words of Jesus. They are forever. In Acts chapter 2, recounting the Pentecost story, says And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4) They were prompted by the Holy Spirit. The fear that once gripped their hearts is now replaced by God’s liberating. Love. They must go public and witness that “JESUS IS LORD.” They must go forth and share the peace they have received from Jesus. As their sin have been forgiven, so they must now set about the ministry of reconciliation: “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld” (John 20;23). On this Season of Pentecost, we must ask some very profound questions of ourselves and our church: How do we witness that Jesus is Lord? Are we chariots of fire alive and burning with the flame of Pentecost? Are we bold in our proclamation and even bolder in doing what God has commanded us to do? Pentecost is the season that we are sent forth to proclaim peace and forgiveness from the only ONE who is lasting peace and total forgiveness. We cannot afford to be “laid-back” and just “feel-cool.” The “BIG EASY” cannot be for the Christian whose heart is aflame with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes as aflame to burn away our illusions and liberate us to see the world on fire for Christ and His peace. In a world so desperately needs the Holy Spirit, let us be about the work of the Holy Spirit. There are so many false flames in the world seeking to “light up our life.” Yet in the end such flames only consume us and leave us dead and cold. The Holy Spirit is a flame of bold conviction and profound proclamations about Jesus and the truth of our lives. The flame of the Holy Spirit does not consume us but transform us into the likeness of the One who said: “ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you…. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you’….” (John 14:27-28) During this Pentecost Season, in the Holy Spirit, Jesus comes into our hearts. Let us earnestly pray: COME, LORD JESUS! COME, HOLY SPIRIT, COME! Pastor Gideon Gallo The Pentecost Season is a powerful example of Jesus’ fidelity. In chapter 14 of the Gospel of John we read: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.” (John 14:18-20). Pentecost is the day Jesus promised. Jesus did not leave the disciples desolate. He does not abandon us either. Pentecost is a celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the public witnessing of the faith-community. Through His passion, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus remained faithful. He told His followers of His constant love and guidance. Pentecost-THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT-is one of the great joys, for the Holy Spirit has been poured into our hearts. We can BELIEVE and TRUST the words of Jesus. They are forever. In Acts chapter 2, recounting the Pentecost story, says And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4) They were prompted by the Holy Spirit. The fear that once gripped their hearts is now replaced by God’s liberating. Love. They must go public and witness that “JESUS IS LORD.” They must go forth and share the peace they have received from Jesus. As their sin have been forgiven, so they must now set about the ministry of reconciliation: “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld” (John 20;23). On this Season of Pentecost, we must ask some very profound questions of ourselves and our church: How do we witness that Jesus is Lord? Are we chariots of fire alive and burning with the flame of Pentecost? Are we bold in our proclamation and even bolder in doing what God has commanded us to do? Pentecost is the season that we are sent forth to proclaim peace and forgiveness from the only ONE who is lasting peace and total forgiveness. We cannot afford to be “laid-back” and just “feel-cool.” The “BIG EASY” cannot be for the Christian whose heart is aflame with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes as aflame to burn away our illusions and liberate us to see the world on fire for Christ and His peace. In a world so desperately needs the Holy Spirit, let us be about the work of the Holy Spirit. There are so many false flames in the world seeking to “light up our life.” Yet in the end such flames only consume us and leave us dead and cold. The Holy Spirit is a flame of bold conviction and profound proclamations about Jesus and the truth of our lives. The flame of the Holy Spirit does not consume us but transform us into the likeness of the One who said: “ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you…. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you’….” (John 14:27-28) During this Pentecost Season, in the Holy Spirit, Jesus comes into our hearts. Let us earnestly pray: COME, LORD JESUS! COME, HOLY SPIRIT, COME! Pastor Gideon Gallo
