Faithfulness

In this edition, we will look at faithfulness as part of the Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22,23. According to Strong’s concordance (4102) the word in the Greek used for faithfulness is “pistis” meaning faith, belief, trust, confidence, fidelity, faithfulness.

Background

2 Timothy 2:13 makes it clear that God is faithful. He is the embodiment of faithfulness. And notice it is the same Greek word used in this verse. In the first instance, we see the noun form of the word (i.e. faithfulness) and now, the adjectival form (i.e. faithful). This verse powerfully articulates the truth of God’s word. Let’s draw out some insights, shall we?

First, we see in the context Paul referring to how one must conduct him/herself as a soldier of Christ. In his discourse, he implies that it is possible for the child of God as a soldier of Christ to be faithless. But even in that dire moment, God is still faithful because He is the very essence of faithfulness. What Paul means is that God cannot disavow or reject Himself as the original Greek suggests (i.e. the word used for “deny” in this verse according to Strong’s 720 is “arnēsasthai”).

In Lamentations 3:22,23, we see the writer describing the intensity of the faithfulness of God. The word used for faithfulness in Hebrew means firmness, steadfastness and fidelity, denoting a similar meaning to the Greek word used as we have seen earlier. And we see in the text that by virtue of the faithfulness of God, we have certain benefits. But before looking at that, we see His faithfulness proceeds out of His great love. His great love protects us from being consumed. We also see that compassions or mercies proceed from this same love. And we are told of the nature of the mercies i.e. they never fail, and they are new every single morning. And now these are all held together still in His love but through the agency of love called faithfulness. The faithfulness here is described as great. It is not the regular kind of faithfulness.

Again we see that God is the embodiment of faithfulness from 2 Timothy 2:13 and as a result, He demonstrates this toward His creation and more so, towards us who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Personal saviour. The Bible is very right when it says in Proverbs 23:7 that “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he” – demonstrating that our state of being has a direct impact on how we relate to people. And God created us in His own image and as a result, we see that as He is, so are we(cf. 1 John 4:17).

We who are called by the name of the Lord of Hosts made known expressly through Jesus Christ His Son, ought to live as He is. We who have experienced the love of God have been made partakers of His divine nature. This is our true state as believers but in experience, we ought to take responsibility to work out our salvation with reverence for God. We need to pursue growth through the study of His word and prayer and for these, one channel made available to us is fellowship. Fellowship is an essential ingredient in our walk with the Lord Jesus here on earth. We must be each other’s keeper.

One other thing to know is that we can grow in faithfulness. The key to this is found in what Jesus shared in Luke 16:10 saying whoever is faithful in little will be faithful in much. You don’t need a lot to prove your faithfulness and God will most often start with little things before He can entrust you with much because the place of service which requires being entrusted with much is not for the immature. Like a soldier, discipline in the highest order must be kept. All I am saying is your level of discipline has a great impact on your ability to be faithful as this requires consistency of efforts which will build trust.

Reflection

Are you consistent in your efforts towards your spiritual growth? Are your words and actions consistent with the word of God or there is a lot you do not know? You see, everything we need to live a guaranteed successful Christian life has been provided through our knowledge of Jesus and the only way to know this is the Word of God.

Could your flaws and failures over time be as a result of things you didn’t know? Well, now you know you can live a consistently victorious life in Christ but you need to get in the Word. And no, I am not talking about sermons! Read and study the Bible for yourself. Sermons, though good, are a secondary source of getting the word of God into your life as the preacher is the one who has spent time directly with the Word and out of the illumination received from the Spirit of God, shares.

We are to be like the Berean Christians (found in Acts 17:10-15) who directly encounter the Word for themselves. You need to spend direct time in the Word as there are things God will illuminate by the agency of His Holy Spirit specifically for your edification. Once you have done this, you can engage in fellowship with others about what you have learnt and amazingly, you will realise that God will somehow confirm what you have learnt. The Holy Spirit has been waiting for you. Go on and encounter His Word! Remember “God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” – 1 Corinthians 1:9 NIV.

Now that we know the origin of faithfulness, and how that affects us as believers, how then shall we live?

Make that decision and pray for grace to walk in faithfulness. We have seen that practically this means being consistent in our actions and inactions guided by the Word of God, implying that we need to study and know the Word for ourselves. And God has made fellowship (small group discussions are effective) a key tool. We must be intentional and use it. Remember, consistency is the key!

However you cannot partake in being faithful according to the standard of Jesus Christ (i.e. being perpetually consistent in living in a God-fearing manner) unless you are born again. This is another opportunity to come to Jesus. It is the best decision you can ever make as this transcends beyond living on this earth.

You have the opportunity to do it while alive. If you are willing to, recite with all sincerity, saying, “Lord Jesus, I give myself to you. I declare today that you are my Lord and Personal saviour. I renounce my sin, sins, friendship with the systems of the world, Satan and the domain of darkness. I enthrone you as my Lord and King over my life. I declare I am yours and you are mine. Thank you Lord Jesus for taking me in as your child. Fill me and baptise me with your Holy Spirit I pray, in the name of Jesus, Amen”.

Feel free to reach out to me, or better still, find a Bible-believing and teaching church or a friend who is a Christian and tell them of your decision and to also get baptised and your life will never be the same! God bless you.

Shalom shalom!