Filled With the Fruit # 7: Faithfulness
Read:
Galatians 5:22
Revelation 2:10 (NKJ) “Do not Fear any of those things which you are about to suffer; Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
Hebrews 12:2 (NKJ) “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Reflect:
- Name the most faithful person(Besides Jesus), you can think of and what made that person come to your mind?
- What does the world think of being faithful?
- What does God say about being faithful?
Remember:
Each fruit of God’s Holy Spirit allows us to live in freedom from our old way of life, under bondage to sin and death. As we are continually filled with the fruits, we can live with a newness of life in Him for all eternity. As we surrender to Him, we are filled with love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness… (Galatians 5:22).
Our flesh does not understand faithfulness; only selfishness. Even when giving of yourself is encouraged in this world, it is with the expectation of getting something from this earthly life in return; money, popularity, a feeling of self-worth. Being faithful in relationships, especially marriages today, is a joke. We live in a do what feels good for the time society. The only way to understand faithfulness is to look to the author and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), Jesus Christ, who for the Joy before Him, stayed faithful to the end. His joy was the result of His relationship with His Father, the almighty God. On our behalves, He remained immovable and unshakable even to the point of death on a cross.
He stays faithful, not dependant on whom we are, but dependant on who He is. Only when we are complete in Him and have surrendered to His goodness can we be truly faithful. If it were a choice between saving my own life, resulting in less earthly suffering, or giving it all up for His glory, would I stay faithful? His love is a love worth dying for, but it’s also a love worth living for…even while suffering. As we are filled with His faithfulness, we can shine brightly for His glory knowing a relationship that is immovable and unshakable.