The Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness

May 23, 2019 by Cheli Sigler Leave a Comment

Faithfulness. So many examples of faithfulness come to mind: Lydia the piano teacher, Dan the choir director, Marty the Bible Quiz Team leader, Fran the 4-H leader, and Margaret the church librarian. I could fill pages with names of the faithful people in my life. Each one in his or her own way, encouraging my faithfulness.

Definition

“Faithfulness” comes from the Greek word pistis, meaning “conviction of truth.” Webster’s 1828 Online Dictionary defines “faithfulness” as “truth; veracity; as the faithfulness of God.” A thoughtful definition from the writers at GotQuestions.org gives good insight into this Fruit of the Spirit:

Biblical faithfulness requires belief in what the Bible says about God—His existence, His works, and His character. Faithfulness is a fruit of the Spirit; it is the result of the Spirit working in us.
—“The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – What is faithfulness?” from GotQuestions.org

As I synthesize these definitions for myself, faithfulness, as a Fruit of the Spirit, is found in someone who steadfastly holds to the truth about God and acts on it, always pointing others to the same truth.

God is Faithful

Faithfulness is a core characteristic of God; His words are true, and He keeps His promises. He is completely trustworthy.

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 commandments. (Deuteronomy 7:9)

God’s faithfulness, His truthfulness and reliability, protect and defend His children.

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart” (Psalm 91:4, NIV)

He continues to defend and protect, even though we fail.

. . .if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself. (2 Timothy 2:13)

Faithfulness Comes by the Holy Spirit

God’s level of faithfulness is out of reach for us, and there is no amount of striving by which we become more faithful. We do not come to saving faith in Christ on our own understanding. Romans 10:17 says, “. . .faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” When we hear The Word, it is the Holy Spirit who enables our faith: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. . .” (John 16:13).

The Holy Spirit is God; He is always pointing us to truth: salvation, God’s Word, repentance, and right living (to name a few). The GotQuestions.org team says,

The only way we can have such faith is by the Holy Spirit’s influence. He testifies to the truth and impels us to seek God. The Spirit makes us faithful.
— “The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – What is faithfulness?” from GotQuestions.org

Any faithfulness seen in me, is by the work and power of the Holy Spirit, who graciously points me toward deeper truth and conviction.

Faithfulness Leaves a Legacy

The Holy Spirit uses faithful people to encourage and guide others in faith. Throughout God’s Word we see this. The list is long of people who established and grew legacies of faith to the benefit of future generations. Hebrews 11 is a whole chapter devoted to the legacy of faithful people. These Old Testament people believed God, and taking Him at His word they obeyed. Look at what un-named men and women of faith did:

Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. (Hebrews 11:35b-38)

Wow! Faithful men and women hold to the truth no matter the circumstances. I am glad the Bible shares these stories of faith, but I am also thankful for the faithful men and women, who are part of my faith story. Especially important are my parents, whose legacy of faith now continues in the lives of my children.

In writing on this topic, I can’t help but think of Steve Green’s song, Find Us Faithful. I have posted it below. Take a moment to listen, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you recall the “great cloud of witnesses” who have faithfully pointed you to God’s truth. (Hebrews 12:1)

Fruit for Thought

As you go through your day, ask God to increase your faithfulness. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, listening and watching for opportunities to trust God more, and give thanks for those who have taught and spurred you on in the faith.

Come thou Fount: a song for wanderers

April 15, 2014 by Julie 3 Comments

Mighty truths and stirring melodies often meld in the forge of pain. Englishman Robert Robinson wasn’t the first boy to habitually wander from the narrow path. He only went to a meeting to hear George Whitefield so he could mock it, but instead, he changed. As a young adult trying to etch out a new path for life, he wrote down the anthem of his heart. It’s an invitation, a declaration, and a confession that resonates with anyone likely to drift off course and long to return.

Invitation to COME

Having learned Jesus is the Fountain of every blessing and the changer of hearts, Robert invites Him to “Come” tune his heart to produce a song of God’s grace and mercy. Though writing in the 18th century, Robert recognized that God’s character calls “for songs of loudest praise.” This is the chorus of those who want more Jesus, who long to have the Living Water fill them to an overflow of praise. Robert longed to produce a song of praise.

“Come, Thou Fount of ev’ry blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace.”

Declaration of FAITH

“Jesus sought me when a stranger,” Robert admitted, but he declared recognition of how God helped him in his times of trouble. He had been wandering and in danger, but the blood of Jesus rescued him. In the Old Testament, Samuel set up an “Ebenezer stone” after God delivered the nation of Israel. Robert’s hymn was an “Ebenezer stone” of God’s rescue in his life. If you’ve experienced personal rescue, the words to this song may give your heart the voice of expression you long for.

“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.” (1 Samuel 7:12)

Confession of NEED

Truth and music often meld in the forge of pain. This hymn is no different, revealing the writer’s desperate need for grace and his struggle not to wander from His Lord. No matter how much I want to cling to the Fount of every blessing, I know that I have a tendency to leave the Lord I love, to wander from the close fellowship I’m meant to have with Him.

“Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; prone to leave the God I love,” he wrote.
Robert Robinson did stray from the Fount of every blessing after he wrote this hymn. He later recognized his folly, and in reflecting on the words he once penned, he confessed, “I would give a thousand worlds to enjoy the feelings I had then.”

Mighty truths and stirring melodies often meld in the forge of pain.

Every day must bring a fresh invitation for the Fount to “Come” tune our hearts to his praise.
Every day must resound with a declaration of our faith in God’s help for our trouble.
Every day must bring us down on a bended knee, where we beg God to come.

“Let that grace, Lord, like a fetter, bind my wand’ring heart to Thee. Here’s my heart; Lord, take and seal it; seal it for thy courts above.”

Download a printable Worship Worksheet: Come Thou Fount Bible Study Tool.

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What’s on Your Heart?

January 4, 2012 by Teri Lynne Underwood 7 Comments

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you shall be on your heart. ~ Deuteronomy 6:4-6

new years resolutions, Deuteronomy 4:4-6 — source: Microsoft Clip Art

What are you thinking about, focusing on, as this new year begins?

Resolutions made and plans for seriously following through this year.

Plans for losing weight, exercising more, or finally decluttering the junk drawer in the kitchen.

Maybe you’ve determined to read the Bible through this year or be more consistent in Scripture memorization.

But what’s on your heart?

Is it fear of failure or worry about finances? Maybe your heart is heavy with concern for loved ones fighting illness or children who have chosen a wayward path. Perhaps you are fighting an internal battle with insecurity.

Far too often, I believe we end up letting go of the resolutions and goals and dreams because we’ve allowed the wrong things to settle deep in our hearts.

We live in fear though we have been given a spirit of power. 2 Timothy 1:7

We battle with insecurity though we are created in the image of the One True God. Genesis 1:27

We wrestle with worry though we are promised peace beyond understanding. Philippians 4:6-7

As this year begins, my desire is that the Word of God be settled deep on my heart. That my first response to life will be to seek His truth. That my response to others will be rooted in Scripture’s clear example. That I will speak words of life and hope and truth into the hearts and lives of others.

My earnest prayer is this:

Lord, may my heart be stayed on Thee, daily seeking Thy clear Word

Ever trusting in Thy steady hand.

Lord, may my heart be found in Thee, wrestling not with sinful deed

Rather walking by Thy faithful plan.

Amen

What’s on your heart?