We have one fruit from the list of Galatians 5, still in the bowl, that deserves attention: faithfulness. What does that term suggest for you?
Surely it points towards our trustworthiness, reliability, integrity…
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” Luke 16:10
Jesus, in this parable setting, continues the theme…
“So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?” (16:11-12)
A contrast is made.
Could it mean that if one is shonky in their handling of finance and property, in business dealings or anything that belongs to another, then they have forfeited the higher trust of service in the name of Christ?
Paul writes: “I thank Christ… that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.” (1 Tim. 1:12)
The inference is that God is not compelled to entrust his name and his mission to just anyone, but to those he deems faithful.
Paul again:
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” 2 Tim. 2:2
This fruit of ‘faithfulness’ is not in the bowl to make up the numbers, we can see that God counts it as an essential prerequisite for service in His name – a sobering thought.
A second aspect of faithfulness is giving ourselves in service when we can’t see the outcome.
Eddie Askew, in one of his devotional insights, draws attention to John the Baptist.
John was privileged to introduce Jesus, and baptise him! John was the herald. John prepared the way. Then he was jailed and beheaded. John never saw the fulfillment of his work. His dedicated life in the harsh sun and in the cold winds of the desert hills, his moments of joy in identifying the Christ, abruptly ended.
You’ll remember the poignant message John sent when in prison; his disciples carried the question from John to Christ who was teaching and preaching: “Are you the One who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Matt. 11:2)
Faithfulness remains true to the calling, even when the outcome is not overtly visible.
So we need to ask the question – what is it going to look like?
Faithfulness is…
- Keeping your promises.
It is better not to promise anything than to promise something and not do it. Ecc.5:5
Be a person who keeps his/her word.
- Honouring your marriage.
Marriage is a commitment of fidelity; that is another word for faithfulness.
“Marriage should be honoured by all” Heb.13:4
…that means to be taken seriously and held in high esteem.
Put effort into it, protect it, if necessary get some outside help to enrich it.
- Making good use of your time, using your talents.
God has entrusted to you abilities, gifts and talents.
When we make some excuse “I don’t have anything to offer”, we are missing out and we are cheating other people of the talents we have been given.
We can’t all be brilliant but we can all be faithful.
The same applies to our time…
God knows and understands your schedule and the demands on your life, in fact better than you do. So what should you do? Talk to him about it. Ask him, “Lord what do you what me to cut out; what do you want me to add? What do you want to rearrange? I want you to be Lord of my life.”
- Managing your money.
Remember that earlier verse about worldly riches?
Do you pay bills on time?
Is your life in balance?
Do you tithe? Are you faithful in giving?
Those who are faithful in managing earthly riches, are eligible for God’s calling to handle higher riches.
…and so we could identify areas of life where this fruit of faithfulness is visible:
Standing by your friends; doing your best at work or the task you have taken on; even committing to a church family.
And as I reflect on all that faithfulness entails,
I am really glad that we get spiritual help, that this is another fruit of the Spirit.
I am really glad that God doesn’t let go and say, “well you’re on your own, and be faithful!”
I am really glad that the Spirit is at work in us to bring this fruit into evidence.
I am really glad that God himself is supremely faithful… God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. 1 Cor.1:9
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thess.3:3
God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Cor.10:13
And I am so encouraged by this benediction:
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 1 Thess. 5:23-24