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The Fruit of the Spirit - Faithfulness
The Fruit of the Spirit - Faithfulness
Mike Willis
The seventh fruit of the Spirit is “faithfulness.” The Greek word pistis has a variety of uses (much like the English word “love” has), but the definition assigned to it in the Galatians list of the fruit of the Spirit is “the state of being someone in whom confidence can be placed, faithfulness, reliability, fidelity, commitment” (BDAG, 818). The adjective is used in the same sense in 2 Timothy 2:2—”and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
The word “faithful” is used to describe the character of God in several passages.
“God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Cor. 1:9).
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13).
“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one” (2 Thess. 3:3).
By speaking of “faithful” as a fruit of the Spirit, the responsibility of a Christian is to develop the same character trait as God shows to us—faithfulness, reliability, fidelity, commitment. We can count on God to keep His word, His promises. We expect God to be there for us whenever we call upon Him in prayer, when we ask Him for forgiveness, mercy, and grace, when we need strength to endure the temptations and trials we are presently facing, etc.
But, are we faithful to God? Can God count on us? Paul said about himself shortly before his death, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:6-8). Here are some areas to be introspective to see how well we are doing:
1. How much time do you spend in prayer to God?
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5:16-18).
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Phil. 4:6).
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Col. 4:2).
“Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 5:20).
2. How much time do you spend reading the word of God?
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Josh. 1:8).
“But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night” (Psa. 1:2).
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
3. How regularly do you assemble with the saints to offer our corporate worship to God?
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb. 10:24-25).
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).
“What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up” (1 Cor. 14:26).
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matt. 18:20).
A hit-and-miss conduct toward the worship assemblies means that one is not dependable, reliable, or faithful.
4. How dependable are you to participate in acts of service? From time to time, announcements are made that a member needs help. We are so fortunate to have a good group of ladies who are ready to prepare food for those in need. I have witnessed men in this congregation who left for worship early enough to pick up one or two who expressed their desire to attend services. We have witnessed significant contributions of money to meet the needs of those with bills they could not pay. This congregation has been the most generous of any congregation with which I have worked.
Can we do better in our faithfulness? Let each of us pick up his spiritual mirror and look at himself, asking if he can be more faithful than he has been in the past. God deserves our best, not our leftovers!
