High Fidelity

 

Revelation 2:10 “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

 

I remember buying my first stereo system when I was in High School, which consisted of a HiFi stereo receiver, a turn-table for playing “LP Vinyl albums, an 8-tracks tape player and speakers. It’s stored up in the attic somewhere now, gathering dust. The term "hi-fi" — or "high fidelity" — dates back to the 1950s when it was used to describe audio equipment that was able to faithfully reproduce music. It meant that the music sounded like you were listening to the band or artist in person. You do not hear the term fidelity much anymore, do you. What does it even mean?

 

The word “fidelity” is defined as: (1) Faithfulness; careful and exact observance of duty, or performance of obligations. (2) Firm adherence to a person or party with which one is united, or to which one is bound; loyalty. (3) Honesty; veracity; adherence to truth. (4) Observance of the marriage covenant; as the fidelity of a husband or wife. I remember in an old sermon by Pastor Kennedy, where. he stated  that he read that a survey of high school seniors revealed that very few of them knew what the English word “fidelity” meant, but a large number of them— tragically and ironically—knew what the word “infidelity” meant. It seems that the concepts of fidelity, honor and loyalty are disappearing from our culture. 

 

The motto of the United States Marines is “Semper Fi”. They were formed by the Continental Congress in 1775, before the Constitution, before the U.S. government, before the American Revolution, and they have fought in every war the United States has ever been in. Semper Fi, the shortened form of semper fidelis, meaning “always faithful.” And I will say, the United States Marines have done extraordinarily well in exemplifying that motto for well over 200 years. 

 

The first President of the United States of America, George Washington, stated in his farewell address on September 19, 1796: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great Pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and citizens. And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that National morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.” America has always been about faithfulness to God and Country. A patriot is a person who loves his country, and zealously supports and defends it and its interests; faithfully devoted to the welfare of their country.  

 

Sadly, we have seen a decline in this fidelity, in faithfulness, in loyalty, and in honor in our country in the last several decades and that is a tragic and sad commentary about our nation and the days in which we live. We’ve taken our eyes off God and Country. Focus today is on people, places and things because the unbelieving secular humanist focus is on “self” and interpersonal relationships. Righteousness, holiness, godliness, devoutness, religiousness, and faithfulness to the authority of God have taken a back seat in the culture of this egocentric society, it seems. Be true to God has been replaced with be true to yourself.

 

The Apostle John states in Revelation 19:11, “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He [Jesus] who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.” In Revelation 17:14, the Apostle John proclaims: “The Lamb will overcome them [those who give their power and authority to the beast], for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” What about you? Do you have high fidelity in your life? Are you always faithful to Jesus Christ?  

 

We should be faithful to Christ and serve Him through His Church. We are called to be soldiers of Christ. He promises a glorious, everlasting, never-ending imperishable life in paradise. The promise of Him who is Life itself. Christ says, “I will give them the crown of life.” To whom will He give this gift? To those who are high fidelity. We are saved by faith in the faithful One, who is Christ. 

 

In God We Trust, In Christ alone we have our faith. And we will be always and forever faithful.

Your brother in Christ, Brian