Gal 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. (NIV)
Here are some great cross-references and topical notes on faithfulness:
Dependability, loyalty, and stability particularly as it describes God in His relationship to human believers. The faithfulness of God and His Word is a constant theme in the Bible. It is particularly prominent in Ps 89 and 119.
God is "the faithful God who keeps covenant" (Deut 7:9) and chooses Israel (Isa 49:7); great is His faithfulness (Lam 3:23).
It is not surprising that this aspect of God's nature should also belong to the Messiah, who would be clothed with faithfulness (Isa 11:5) and who is described as the Faithful one (Rev 19:11), the "faithful witness" (Rev 1:5; 3:14), and the "faithful High Priest" (Heb 2:17; 3:2).
God's faithfulness is the source of the Christian's deliverance from temptation (1 Cor 10:13); assurance of salvation (Heb 10:23); and forgiveness of sins (1 John 1:9). He is faithful to His children because He is first of all faithful to Himself (2 Tim 2:13).
God's faithfulness should be so deeply reflected in the lives of His people (Gal 5:22) that they can be called simply "the faithful" (Ps 31:23). The New Testament speaks of the faithfulness of Paul (1 Cor 7:25), Abraham (Neh 9:8), and Moses (Heb 3:5).
Faithfulness is also expected in Christian believers. Faithfulness to one's fellowman is seen especially in relation to fulfilling an office. A steward must be found faithful (1 Cor 4:2), just as Daniel and other persons in the Bible exercised their faithfulness toward God (Dan 6:4; 2 Tim 2:2).(Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
Father, I pray for a renewed focus and dedication to faithfulness among Your children. Faithfulness takes work, but it also brings great reward. I pray for marriages due to the lack of faithfulness of one of the partners. I pray for missionaries struggling to fulfilll Your call due to the lack of faithful supporters. I pray for the faithfulness of those believerss who are being tempted away from Your call on their life. Renew their strength and lead them back to You
Father, thanks so much for always being faithful in my life. Many people will probably think that last line is crazy for me to say based on the last year of my life. However, those that know the full story know that a more accurate statement could not be uttered. You have been so faithful to me through all the struggles and continue to be today!!! It would be insane for me to think otherwise. Please continue to show your faithfulness to Your children as they are faithful to You, in Jesus' name I pray, Amen!
Previous Posts:
Self-Control
Gentleness
2 comments:
When I think of faithfulness I definitely think it applies more to God than to us!!
but definitely applies to us as well
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