Faithfulness is Fundamental

Several years ago Eric Hulstrand related a story in Leadership magazine illustrating faithfulness.

“While I was preaching one Sunday, an elderly woman, Mary, fainted and struck her head on the end of the pew. Immediately, an EMT in the congregation called an ambulance.”

“As they strapped her to a stretcher and got ready to head out the door, Mary regained consciousness. She motioned for her daughter to come near. Everyone thought she was summoning her strength to convey what could be her final words. The daughter leaned over until her ear was at her mother’s mouth.”

“‘My offering is in my purse,’ she whispered.”

Faithfulness. It’s a characteristic identified by Paul as “the fruit of the Spirt.” Along with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self control” (Gal. 5:22-23).

The original word is often rendered “faith,” and it used to refer to one’s trust, or the system identified as “the faith,” as in “the faith of the gospel.” However, Barclay, as well most of other Bible scholars suggest the usage in this text speaks to the “character of one who can be relied on.”

Moffatt and Philips translate the word “fidelity.’ Barclay writes that it “describes the man on whose faithful service we may rely, on whose loyalty we may depend, whose word we can unreservedly accept. It describes the man in whom there is unswerving and inflexible fidelity to Jesus Christ, and the utter dependability of God.”

Jesus Christ is our ultimate example of faithfulness. John calls Jesus “the faithful witness” (Rev. 1:5). His desire was to do the will of Father, to please Him. His decisions were made to accomplish that goal. And His determination would not be altered, even by his brothers’ unbelief, Peter’s insistence that He not go to Jerusalem, the religious leaders’ opposition, or even the excruciating prospects of the cross. He was faithful.

To be faithful or not is a decision we must all make. It is an inner quality that reflects itself in outward deeds. It’s a loyalty to the Lord that leads us to deeper devotion, greater spirituality, and nobler aspirations. Consider these measurements of faithfulness.

#1 Are you faithful in your worship?

Not just in attendance in in making attendance a priority, but in truly worshiping in spirit and in Truth (Jn. 3:23-24). This demands involvement participation, and spiritual focus.

#2 Are you faithful in your relationships?

We understand loyalty, devotion, and fidelity in a marriage and in our family responsibilities. What about the family of God? The bible calls on us to encourage one another (Heb 3:13). To admonish one another (Rom. 15:14). To bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2). To edify one another (Rom. 14:19). And to forgive one another ((Eph. 4:32).

#3 Are you faithful in your daily Christian walk?

The word “walk” is often used to depict our behavior, lifestyle, and discipleship as we follow Christ.

The text we have been studying the past few weeks commands we “walk in the Spirit.” Walking in the Spirit calls for us to listen to the instruction of the Spirit as revealed in the Word. Not walking according to the carnal desires of the flesh. But living a Spirit filled life that partakes of “the Divine nature,” drawing us closer to the Lord.

Other “walk” passages offer these exhortations:

• “Walk by faith, and not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7).
• “Walk in love” (Eph. 5:2).
• “Walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8).
• “Walk in wisdom” (Col. 4:5).
• “Walk in the Light (1 Jn. 1:7).
• “Walk in Truth (1 Jn 3:4).
• “Walk just as HE walked (1 Jn. 2:6).

Faithfulness is more than just “talking the talk,” we must “walk the walk.”

#4 Are you faithful in service?

Christians are servants. Like Jesus, we’re called to serve the needs of others instead of waiting to be served (John 13:5-20) Faithful stewardship is demonstrated in using our time, talents, and resources to advance the Kingdom, help our brethren, and to do good to all people.

Faithfulness is required not only to grow spiritually in our discipleship, but necessary for us to receive our eternal reward. Jesus promised, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life’ (Rev. 2:10).

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman