The Fruit of Faithfulness

In our society we value dependability in the products we buy and in the people surrounding us. Where can you find people you can count on, who are loyal, committed? One of the fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness. The word for 'faithfulness' is actually 'faith' in the original text. It can mean that act or state of believing in someone or something. The Spirit of God does produce in us saving faith by opening our spiritual eyes to the truth of the gospel and by drawing us to Christ. But when used in lists of virtue, 'faith' almost certainly means 'faithfulness'-- the quality that renders a person trustworthy or reliable. Like love, joy, and peace, faithfulness is also grounded in the very nature of God, for our God is faithful. He is faithful to keep His promises in the midst of human suffering, in times of pressure, stress, and temptation. He is faithful in keeping and perfecting us, developing Christ-like character traits in us. And he is faithful to forgive us our sins when we confess them. Now God's faithfulness is not based on external circumstances, but rather grounded in who God is, His very nature. God must be true to Himself. And in the same way, our faithfulness is not dependent upon external circumstances but grounded in who we are in Christ and the work of the Spirit in us. He develops within us convictions, rock solid principles by which we live which we will not compromise. He desires for us to be faithful in two main areas: Decisiveness in our words. We should say what we mean and mean what we say. And Dependability in our work! Finish what we started and do all to the glory of God, faithful to the end. Faithfulness takes commitment!