How’s your Faithfulness?

Faithfulness is an underrated quality these days. Perhaps it’s because it is no longer expected in society. We are expected to change our telephone and utility providers to get the best deals. I even heard one expert recently explain how we should be unfaithful, because loyalty is now penalised, rather than rewarded.

God’s faithfulness toward us is unquestionable. When we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin (1 John 1:9). He sticks with us closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). Jesus displayed faithfulness toward the disciples, loving them to the end (John 13:1).

Faithfulness may be rare in society, but those who know Christ as their lord and saviour are marked with the character of Christ, which includes faithfulness. Holy Spirit living within us is evidenced by the fruit of the spirit coming out of us and displayed in our actions toward others. Faithfulness is often a forgotten component of those gifts.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. – Galatians 5:22,23

The bible speaks about faithfulness as a deciding factor while making important decisions. When Nehemiah had to return to the king, he needed to leave Jerusalem in safe hands. He didn’t choose well known men, famous men, good communicators, or those trained for the job. He chose men who were faithful.

Then it was, when the wall was built and I had hung the doors, when the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, 2 that I gave the charge of Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the leader of the citadel, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many. – Nehemiah 7:1,2

Showing unfaithfulness in our character is always displeasing to God and painful to others.

Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint. – Proverbs 25:19.

We have a call on our lives to be faithful to the household of believers, the church and above all, faithful to God. Faithfulness is such a part of God’s character, that even If we are faithless toward Him, He will still remain faithful to us.

If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. – 2 Timothy 2:13.

This faithfulness is rewarded by God. When Jesus told the parable of the talents, He showed that the basis of reward was on the goodness and faithfulness of the servant.

His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ – Matthew 25:23

This will also be the basis of our ultimate and eternal reward. Our faithfulness throughout difficult times is seen and rewarded by God. Don’t give up when tough times come, this is an opportunity to show the faithfulness which is within you, if you are found in Him. God is no mans debtor and will reward you, so that one day you may hear those words, well done good and faithful servant.