Faithfulness is something that we hear a lot about but don't see much of. We see a lot of people not staying loyal to each other: spouses, friends, significant others, and more. We see a lot of doubt. We don't see much trust. It can be hard to know what something is if we can't see it.
Faithfulness, as described in the Bible, is based on the word pistis, which means trustworthiness or reliability. Faithfulness refers to steadfastness, constancy, or allegiance. As Christians, faithfulness means being confident in God and all of His promises. It is what keeps us believing in God's existence and our purpose.
Faithfulness is how God describes Himself. His faithfulness is never-failing and lasts forever.
"For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." - Psalm 100:5
He is faithful in His promises. God has yet to make a promise that He cannot or won't keep. Whatever He promises comes true. He created the rainbow to show this.
He is faithful in trials. God knows that trials are difficult, but He also knows that each trial makes us stronger and shows us His greatness and mercies. He never gives us more than we can handle with His help.
He is faithful in our salvation. God knew we would need saving. From the beginning, God planned to send Jesus Christ down to die for our sins and save us from eternal death. He freed us from the bonds of sin. His grace allows us to live a life full of freedom when we know Him.
God's faithfulness has never and will never fail.
"Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:22-23
We should trust God, not because of what He does, but because of who He is. It's not the deeds God does for us that makes us faithful. It's who He is. What He does is a result of who He is, not the other way around. We should trust Him for who He is. We should trust Him when He is quiet, when it seems like He isn't moving, and when it feels like He isn't listening. We should trust Him because He is faithful.
If the Spirit lives in us, then His faithfulness should reflect in us. That's why it is one of the Fruit of the Spirit – because it is not by our own doing, but by the Spirit in us that this is possible.
How to be Faithful
Faith only comes as a gift. As hard as we may try, we can never be faithful unless the Spirit lives in us and grants us that ability.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9
You gain faith by listening to the Spirit in your heart. You gain it by praying and by reading and studying the Word of God.
"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." - Romans 10:17
By reading the examples of faithfulness in the Bible, by understanding God's faithfulness and how it should look, you begin to understand why it's so important and how you can emulate it. You'll be able to allow the Holy Spirit to work in your heart and mind. The Spirit will enable you to trust the Lord's judgment and decrees. He'll help you become faithful in obedience, which honors the Lord.
Faithfulness also means trusting the Lord in both the big and small. It doesn't just mean trusting Him in the big, "important" moments of life; it means trusting God and letting Him guide you through the day-to-day struggles and worries. It's being faithful in even the smallest of duties that may go unseen.
"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will aos be dishonest with much." - Luke 16:10
In order to be faithful in all of this, you must first surrender. Surrender your worries, your plans, your doubts, and your pride. Let God take control. He will be faithful and guide you. Faithfulness will set you free from fear; fear of the future, of the unknown, of your worries, and anything else. Trust Him. Have faith.
