THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS…FAITHFULNESS

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because HE COUNTED ME FAITHFUL, putting me into the ministry – 1 Tim.1:12

“But the fruit of the Spirit is…Faithfulness…” (Gal.5:22). This fruit is also translated as “Faith” which is the act of believing or trusting God as the basis of action. Hebrews 11 records how the faith of the saints of old caused them to act. In the context of Galatians 5:22 however, faithfulness implies fidelity, the virtue of being trustworthy, reliable, and dependable; staying true to someone or something; being a person who can be counted on, regardless of difficult, extenuating circumstances. Ruth (whose name means ‘Friend’) was a Model of Faithfulness, which may actually interpret as the “fullness of faith”!

The foundation of our faithfulness is that GOD is faithful: “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1Cor.1:9); “Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it” (1The.5:24). Many scriptures testify of His faithfulness: “O Lord, You are my God…Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth” (Isa.25:1). It is His faithfulness that guarantees our deliverance from and dominion over temptation (1Cor.10:13). Even if we are faithless, God is faithful: “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, He cannot deny Himself” (2Tim.2:13).

JESUS is faithful: “who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house” (Heb.3:2). He was faithful to the end; never abandoning His calling, through the toughest of times. Ironically, the fruit of faithfulness seems to be sorely lacking in our society and the church today. Proverbs 20:6 exclaims, “Most men will proclaim everyone his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?” and “the faithful disappear among the sons of men” (Psa.12:1). You must be thankful that God’s faithfulness does not depend on you. Hence, your faithfulness should not depend on what others do or fail to do, or on circumstances. You must be faithful in good and bad times; because the One who saved you was faithful even unto death! “Moreover it is required in stewards, that one be found faithful” (1Cor.4:2).

God’s Word is faithful and trustworthy. His Word is His bond. You can count on His Word. You can trust His Word that it will never lead you astray, to doom or to destruction. That’s why you also can be faithful: because you serve a God who always does what He has said He will do. You can be faithful because you have a firm foundation on which to stand! God desires that the fruit of faithfulness blossom in manifold flavours in your life. God expects you to be faithful to Him, to your relationships (spouse, children, parents, family, friends, and church), your calling, assignments, leaders, and nation. As the fruit of faithfulness grows in you, you will become one who can be counted on, a blessing to God, His Kingdom and creation!