Fruits of the Spirit: Faithfulness

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

The MacArthur Study Bible: “faithfulness. Loyalty and trustworthiness.”

Scripture: Lamentations 3:22-23 “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.”

Psalm 36:5 “Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the clouds.”

1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 “Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”

Faithfulness has a pretty straight forward definition, but in looking up Scriptures on faithfulness, it seemed more verses popped up for this word than any of the other fruits this far. Most of the verses were describing the never-failing, great and sure faithfulness of God. The verses also talk about being faithful to follow after God and His Word.

As Christians, we are to model ourselves after Christ, and in reading many of those verses it becomes abundantly clear that God is always faithful: faithful in keeping His promises, faithful in fulfilling His Word, faithful in His character. He is unchanging, steady, ever and always pure, unstained with sin. We can trust Him.

He is faithful to His people, and we should be faithful to Him. We must diligently study His Word, pray, and seek after the things of God. We must hold fast to the promises of Scripture.

The fear of God is also associated with faithfulness, and we see a glimpse of that in Psalm 119:29-35: “Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law! I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. I cling to your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame! I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.”

As we learn more about God, may we have even greater respect and admiration for who He is. Our gratitude for our great God should spur our hearts on towards faithfulness to Him; and as the Holy Spirit helps us as we strive to fear the Lord, may God’s love overflow from our hearts into our relationships with others.

Lord-willing, when we finish the race set before us, we will hear those gracious words: “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Parable in Matthew 25:14-30)

“*Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth. 

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide.

Your strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow;

Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside.

Great is Thy faithfulness. 

Great is Thy Faithfulness. 

Morning by morning, new mercies I see.

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.”

*Thomas Chrisholm and W.M. Runyon

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