To the church in Smyrna, Jesus said, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Revelation 2:10). We know that Jesus would never deceive us, so it is possible for His followers to remain faithful. We CAN be faithful to the Christ, even--

1. When we live in an evil environment. The world of Noah’s time was so wicked that the people had only evil thoughts continuously (Genesis 6:5). Yet, in that environment Noah was just, perfect (complete), and walked with God (6:8,9). Lot lived in the famous, wicked city of Sodom, but the Bible says that when he lived there he was "righteous" (2 Peter 2:6-8). Joseph, the son of Jacob, lived among lawbreakers and idol worshippers in Egypt, "But the Lord was with Joseph" (Genesis 39:21) because he remained faithful to Him.

2. When many of God’s children leave Him. Joshua and Caleb were faithful to God, even though the other 603,548 soldiers who were numbered at Mt. Sinai died in the wilderness because of their unbelief (Hebrews 3:19). Joshua and Caleb did not allow the unfaithfulness of others to hinder them from serving Jehovah! Once ". . .many of his [Jesus’] disciples went back, and walked no more with him" (John 6:66). Did this cause the apostles to leave Jesus also? No! Peter said, "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life" (6:68). It is not easy to keep going forward when many others quit serving Jesus, but let us remember, "I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).

3. When our family members have no interest in the gospel. What does the Holy Spirit tell a sister in the Christ whose husband is not a believer? Continue to show "chaste conduct" to their husbands, i.e., keep on being faithful to the Lord (1 Peter 3:1,2). Eunice, the mother of Timothy, was married to a Greek who was not a Christian. Yet, she maintained "unfeigned faith" (2 Timothy 1:5). It is possible that those of our family might count us as enemies because we love Jesus more than all others, but Jesus said, "And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me" (Matthew 10:34-38). Even when our family members do not support or understand us, it is possible to continue to be faithful to the Lord.

4. When there are only a few around us who are faithful to God. Noah was faithful, even though only seven others received his message of righteousness and entered the ark with him (1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:5). When Paul and Silas were in prison in Philippi, they did not say, "There are too few people here to serve God." No, they prayed and sang praises to God at midnight (Acts 16:25). Let us not forget this truth: ". . . narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matthew 7:14). Faithfulness is not about numbers.

5. When we are the only ones around who are faithful. Apparently John was the only faithful one on the island of Patmos (Revelation 1:9,10), Jeremiah was the only faithful one in the dungeon (Jeremiah 38), and Daniel was the only faithful one in the lions’ den (Daniel 6). All of these remained faithful to the Lord, even when their environment was anything but ideal. Through faith and the help of God, we can remain faithful also!

It would be wonderful if everyone around us faithfully served the Lord. Can you imagine how much nicer it would be if every person at work, at school, in our neighborhood, and in our family were faithful members of the church? We understand, however, that such is not the case. It is not easy to faithfully walk with the Lord. That never has been an easy task. Regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves, it is possible to remain faithful. Here is a Bible statement that should encourage all of us: "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31).

-- Roger D. Campbell