Fruits of the Spirit {Series} Faithfulness

 

Welcome back friends to week three of the Fruits of the Spirit series.

If you want, you can go back and read about Kindness and Goodness.

This week I want to touch on Faithfulness.

Galatians 5:22-23

New International Version (NIV)

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

 

faithful·ness n.

Synonyms: faithful, loyal, true, constant, fast¹, steadfast, staunch¹
These adjectives mean adhering firmly and devotedly to someone or something that elicits or demands one's fidelity. Faithful and loyal both suggest undeviating attachment, though loyal applies more often to political allegiance

Being Faithful is an action. It means that we stand up for what we believe. Being faithful is making the decision to follow God and not the world. If we can be faithful to a specific television series and never miss an episode, why can't we be faithful to the Lord? What about being faithful to friends and family or a specific sports team? Doesn't God deserve all of us and not just what we want to allow?

 

Having Faith can move mountains, but exercising the fruit of faithfulness is part of our daily character. Having faith and portraying faithfulness is a sign of obedience to our Lord. Showing signs of obedience we will be rewarded.

 

For example. The story of Noah. We all know the story of Noah's Ark right? {Genesis 6}God told Noah to build an Ark, collect two of each species and bring his family on board. Because God found Noah's heart pure and obedient he and his family would be spared from Gods wrath on the corrupt world. Every time you see a rainbow, remember that God is faithful.

 

Another example of Faithfulness. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (cool names!) You can read more details about their story in Daniel 3:8-28. But they were 3 slaves/prisoners to King Nebuchadnezzar. The King wanted everyone to worship him. These 3 men wouldn't bow. So the King ordered them into a fire to burn. The men prayed to the One and ONLY God, they were faithful. God delivered them from their transgressor. God rewards faithful obedience!