In today’s world many people and institutions are unreliable. Marketers and politicians make whatever promise they want, not caring that they can’t deliver. It is said that America’s unofficial business code is ‘buyer beware’. Customers are not to trust what they are told.
We also see increase in people unfaithful in marriage, along with abundant scams and people who take advantage of situations for their own ends.
In a world full of unfaithfulness and unreliability God remains absolutely faithful.
The prophet Jeremiah and King David both declared that God’s faithfulness is huge.
“Great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:23
“Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.” Psalm 36:5
The New Testament confirms that God is faithful.
“Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23
“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will surely do it.” 1Thessalonians 5:24
What then is faithfulness? The original Bible languages use words that mean ‘firmness, steadfastness, fidelity and being reliable’. The idea of immovability is reflected here.
Faithfulness also carries the idea of not changing over time. Life and circumstances may toss us about, but one who is faithful keeps on the same track and keeps to the same purpose over time and despite all the changes that occur. We see that God is exactly like that.
“Know that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God, which keeps covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.” Deuteronomy 7:9
How do you measure up on the faithfulness scale? You are older now than when you made various promises and plans in your past. Your spouse is older and possibly more difficult to live with now. Your family has grown and your work situation changed. Your health will have changed. Society and friends have changed as well. So have you simply changed along the way, or remained faithful to what you promised years ago?
If you make a promise to someone, do you keep it? Would those around you consider you to be a reliable and consistent person or consistently inconsistent?
Years ago someone told me about their problems and asked if I would pray. I was happy to make the promise, but later I realised I had forgotten all about them and their needs. On the spur of the moment I made a promise the other person expected me to keep. They never knew that I broke my promise, but I realised I probably made such shallow promises all the time. What did that say about who I am? It is not a good reflection on my faithfulness.
Christians are required to be faithful, especially in our commitment to God and Christ. We are to be immovable from our resolve to love and serve God.
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.” 1Corinthians 15:58
“Be on the alert. Stand firm in faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.” 1Corinthians 16:13
We are encouraged to keep doing the right things, even when we feel like giving up, so we can reap the fruit of our actions in due time.
“Do not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
Being faithful requires a faithful heart, or faithful spirit. Many people have been tempted by a quick fix, something-for-nothing, take the easy road mentality, and have taught themselves to lie and cheat. They slack off when they can, and will say whatever they think will give them advantage, never even keeping their promises in mind.
If you have become that kind of person you need to repent and break that evil, unfaithful attitude from your life. Stop lying. Stop cheating others by your unreliability. Stop being false and fake.
One of the key reasons we are to be faithful is that God Himself is faithful. When we hold firm to our word and our trust in God we are working in line with God. God will allow our faith and our resolve to be tested, but if we endure that and have a faithful spirit then we will see the breakthrough in the end.
“Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23
We can do that too, through faith. We can trust that God is faithful and He will reward those who put their faith in God and hold onto that faith no matter what happens.
“Those who come to God must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
Be encouraged. And determine to be a person who is faithful and reliable. Because above all else God is Faithful.
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