Lasting Fruit

Faithfulness (Part 2)

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 is available  to all who know Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord.  In order for Christians to enjoy this abundant fruit, it is required that they be faithful to our faithful God.

In Scripture when faithfulness is related to God’s response to us it is frequently linked with steadfast love.  However, 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.”

The people of God are to respond to God’s faithfulness with obedience to His Word.  Moses told the Israelites, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God.  Keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.” (Deuteronomy 7:9)  Joshua’s injunction to the Israelites was, “Now fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness…” (Joshua 24: 4)  Similarly, Samuel told God’s chosen people to “…be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things God has done for you.” (1 Samuel 12:24) The New Testament tells us, “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”  (1 Corinthians 4:2)  The apostle Paul informed Timothy to appoint men who are faithful to lead the church. (Titus 1: 5 - 9)  In two parables, Jesus taught that there will be a day of accountability regarding faithfulness to Him.  (Matthew 24: 45 - 51; 25: 14 - 30) Good servants of God are faithful through the Lord’s delay in returning.  They use their God-given graces to reach the lost for Jesus and make disciples of Christ.  Wicked servants are faithless in their responsibilities and are lax in waiting for Jesus’ return.  They use their God-given endowments to feed the flesh and indulge in the world’s pleasures.  Romans 1:31 says, “They are senseless, faithless, heartless, and ruthless.”  Ultimately,  faithful servants of the Lord are greatly rewarded while faithless servants will be cast away into a place of torment (hell).

Whether you are a Christian or not, you have been given giftings, abilities and talents from God.  You will give an accounting for what you have done with them to Jesus Christ.

God is faithful.  Jesus was faithful to His Father’s will for the redemption of mankind, and our faithfulness to Him is a dutiful response.  This faithfulness is not a work to get into heaven, but simply a loving response from feeding on God’s Word as the child of God allows the Holy Spirit to illuminate them with a surrendered heart to God’s will.

Will you ask Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sins and invite Him in to your heart to be Savior and Lord?  Will you commit all your time and talents to His glory?  Will you be found faithful at the judgment seat of Christ?

(To Be Continued)