I-FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT-9

I – FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – 9

FAITHFULNESS

To be faithful is to be trustworthy, reliable, dependable.  This is a trait that is to be desired and yet is absent in so many.  We need to be dependable in what we say we will do and  carry through with it.  We need to be trustworthy in our speech in relaying facts concerning the Word as well as material things.  Too often we say that we forgot to do something we said we would do or that we had stated something wrong without proper study or investigating.  Our God is not like that.

God is a faithful God.  1 Cor.1:9   We can trust His Word.  We can depend upon Him in times that are good and times of difficulty.  None could match His reliability.  2 Cor.1:18   We may meet many kinds of temptations and problems but God is faithful and will be with us and do what He deems is right for us if we are following in His path.  1 Pet.4:19   We have such a blessing that God is faithful to forgive us when we confess our sins.   IJhn.1:9   God even helps us in our temptations.  He knows us better than we know ourselves.  1 Cor.10:13   A statement in Lamentations has been put to song.  Lam.3:23

Not only can we trust in a faithful God but we have a faithful Savior in His Son.  Jesus became a man that He might offer His life for our salvation.  Jesus became our High Priest to offer that one sacrifice that would be forever.  Heb.2:17   Our hope rests in Christ and we are to hold fast to that confession of our belief in Him for He is faithful in His promise to us.  Heb.10:23   In Revelation Christ is called the “Faithful Witness”.  Rev.1:5

Words of the Scripture are faithful.  1 Tim.1:15   Paul calls the Word faithful in Tit.1:9.   As we discipline ourselves for godliness, Paul relates this as a trustworthy or faithful statement that should be accepted.  1 Tim.4:8,9   Titus is told that to do good deeds is profitable and also a faithful statement.  Tit.3:8   Another faithful statement tells us that if we die with Him (die to self), we shall live with Him.  What a blessed promise this is to our life.  2 Tim.2:11  

With such a faithful Lord and God, can we be found faithful?  To be found faithful, we must have faith.  Heb.11:6   This chapter follows with a list of faithful ones of God.  How do we know they had faith?  We know by faithfulness shown in the circumstances in which they found themselves.  This faith is defined in Heb.11:1.  When we see, faith is no longer needed.  Jhn.20:29   The followers of Jesus did have faith in His power and ability to perform miracles.  Perhaps our faith could be expressed in the manner in which Peter expressed it.  1 Pet.1:8   Because of this faith in Jesus, our lives show faithfulness.

Our faith was the beginning of our salvation.  Rom.5:1; Acts 20:21   This faith in Jesus caused us to proceed with obedience to his commands.  Mk.16:16; Col.2:12; Rom.1:5   As we become Christians, Christ dwells in our hearts through faith.  Eph.3:17   This faith does not come for just one time.  We are told to continue in our faith.  Col.1:23   In fact our faith is to grow or to enlarge as some versions translate.  2 Thess.1:3.  

Some allow their faith to be shipwrecked.  1 Tim.1:19   Faithfulness cannot be shown when our faith is not sincere.  1 Tim.1:5   Faith is abandoned when false doctrine is received.  1 Tim.4:1   The love of money has also caused many to wander from faith.  They fall into many destructive desires.  1 Tim.6:9,10   For this reason Paul told Timothy to fight the good fight of faith.  1 Tim.6:12   Sometimes it becomes a fight but faith is part of the armor of a Christian.  Eph.6:16   As Satan’s arrows are aimed at us, a strong faith will shield us from them..  Our faith can be tested but when we stand strong in faithfulness we will strengthen and develop our perseverance.  Jam.1:3  

Faith causes action in faithfulness.  Our faith becomes apparent in our work for the Lord.  1 Thess.1:3; Jam.2:14   The faithfulness that we show in the Lord’s work will be trustworthy and dependable.  Jam.2:15,16   James is not saying that a person can be saved by his works but our faith is visible because of what we do.  Jam.2:18   A person can claim to have great faith but do nothing.  So much of the fruit of the Spirit demands action.  So it is with faithfulness.  It is necessary to have faith in order to be faithful.  It is also necessary to have something to show our faith.  Jam.2:26

Our faithfulness is important to Jesus.  He remonstrated the Pharisees for their lack of faithfulness in Matt.23:23   We can be guilty of doing the right things for the wrong reasons or with the wrong attitudes. 

May we persevere in keeping the commandments of God, may we hold fast to our faith in Jesus, and may we have deeds of faithfulness that follow us.  Rev.14:12,13   As we look forward to our hope in Christ, may we be faithful until death or the coming of our Lord.  Rev.2:10