Lasting Fruit

Faithfulness (Part 1)

In Galatians 5: 22 we read that the fruit of the Holy Spirit is “faithfulness.”  The Greek word means to be faithful and trustworthy, to be loyal and steadfast in devotion and allegiance, to be constant and enduring.            

The fruit of faithfulness equips Christians with the power to overcome the flesh, the world and the devil.  It is attainable to all who have Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord.

What is true faithfulness, and how do we manifest this lasting fruit?  To enjoy this fruit one must understand God’s faithfulness and the conditions for enjoying this particular fruit.

The faithfulness of God can be defined as “His determined loyalty to a gracious covenant.”  In Scripture when faithfulness is related to God’s response to us it is frequently linked with His steadfast love.  Most often when faithfulness is linked to the human’s response to God it is paralleled with these words, “righteousness,” “uprightness,” “sincerity,” and “with all your heart.”  

1 Corinthians 1:9 says, “God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.”  The apostle Paul wrote,  “…being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6) God is greatly concerned that Christians bear much fruit for His glory.  Know that God will do what it takes to encourage Christians to grow in the fruit of faithfulness. 

God is faithful, therefore, all His work is faithful and we must do His work faithfully.  Isaiah says, “…for in perfect faithfulness [God has] done marvelous things, things planned long ago.” (Is. 25:1) The Book of Isaiah also tells that God loves justice and in His “…faithfulness [He] will reward [mankind] and make an everlasting covenant with [them].”  The Psalmist David discerned that even afflictions from God come from His faithfulness. (Psalm 119: 75) 

Faithful Joshua and Caleb knew the faithfulness of God at Jericho.  Faithful Daniel saw His faithfulness in the lions’ den.  Faithful Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego saw God’s faithfulness in the fiery furnace.  Simeon, who was righteous and devout, knew the faithfulness of God when God had revealed to him through the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  At the time of the fulfillment of that promise, our faithful God through the Holy Spirit had moved Simeon to go into the temple court just at the time Joseph and Mary were presenting Jesus in the temple. The Bible says, “He took Jesus in his arms and praised God… for my eyes have seen Your great salvation.”  (Luke 2: 28 - 29)

Faithful Christians today can share testimony after testimony of God’s faithfulness through both the trials and blessings in life.  They have come to know God’s protection, provision, and presence.                  

The first step to enjoying the fruit of faithfulness is believing what God’s Word says about His faithfulness to those who choose to enter into His covenant of steadfast love.

(To Be Continued)