THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: FAITHFULNESS

 

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: FAITHFULNESS

Gal. 5:22 The fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…..NLT

Faithfulness consists of fidelity, focus, and firmness of purpose. It involves God’s faithfulness to us and our faithfulness to God. Consider first God’s faithfulness to us. Ps. 89

Fidelity is loyalty that perseveres regardless of circumstances. We see God’s love for us. I John 4:19 God never wavers in His loyalty to loving us. We don’t have to always be perfect little angels in order for God to love us. His love for us is constant, and He always act towards us out of His love for us.

We see the fidelity of God in His mercy towards us. Gen.8:20-22 God does not treat us like we deserve to be treated. He does not pour out His wrath on us when we mess up. Jesus is our protector. He is God’s mercy towards us.

We see the fidelity of God in His pursuit of us. II Pet. 3:9 God is relentless in His pursuit of us. His passion is to see everyone come to a saving knowledge of Him.

God’s faithfulness is seen in His focus. God’s focus is redemptive. John 3:16 His focus is reconciliation. Jesus came to make us right with God. His focus is rehabilitative. Jesus makes us into new people. The old passes away and all things become new. II Cor. 5:17

God’s faithfulness is seen in His firmness of purpose. God’s intent is to make us a holy people, a people fit for heaven.

Then there is our faithfulness to God. We must constantly look inward and examine our loyalty to God. Are we loyal to God no matter what, or do we abandon our confidence and trust in Him when things don’t go our way?

Is God our focus in life? Phil. 3:12-14 Do we keep our eyes on Jesus or are we easily distracted?

Do we have firmness of purpose? What is your purpose in life? Do you intend to follow Jesus all the way to heaven? Are you striving to honor and glorify Christ in all you do and say?