The Fruit of the Spirit

FaithfulnessFaithfulness

Faithfulness

• Greek Greek pistispistis– ““the character of one who can be relied the character of one who can be relied

on”on”– ““faithful, to be trusted, reliable”faithful, to be trusted, reliable”– A quality to be found in our relationship A quality to be found in our relationship

with Godwith God– A quality to be found in our relationship A quality to be found in our relationship

with our fellow manwith our fellow man– If you have the quality, it will be seen in all If you have the quality, it will be seen in all

aspects of your lifeaspects of your life

An uncommon virtue

• Pr 20:6Pr 20:6– Many claim it, but few have itMany claim it, but few have it

• Ps 12:1-3Ps 12:1-3– Not possible for liars, flatterers, and Not possible for liars, flatterers, and

boastersboasters

Examples of faithfulness

• Heb 3:1-6Heb 3:1-6– Moses was a faithful servant of GodMoses was a faithful servant of God– Jesus was even more faithful to GodJesus was even more faithful to God

• Heb 2:17-18Heb 2:17-18– Faithful as our high priestFaithful as our high priest– Gives us an example of holding fast – Heb Gives us an example of holding fast – Heb

4:14-154:14-15– Gives us confidence to draw near to Him Gives us confidence to draw near to Him

when in need – Heb 4:16when in need – Heb 4:16

The faithfulness of God• 1 Cor 10:13 1 Cor 10:13

– Won’t let us be tempted beyond what we can Won’t let us be tempted beyond what we can bearbear

• 2 Thes 3:32 Thes 3:3– To strengthen and protect us from the evil oneTo strengthen and protect us from the evil one

• 1 Thes 5:23-241 Thes 5:23-24– To bring about salvationTo bring about salvation

• 1 Jn 1:91 Jn 1:9– To forgive confessed sinsTo forgive confessed sins– Lam. 3:21-24Lam. 3:21-24

Areas for faithfulness

• In our relationship to GodIn our relationship to God– In our use of what God has given us (Mt In our use of what God has given us (Mt

25:21)25:21)– Not making excuses (Mt 25:24-26)Not making excuses (Mt 25:24-26)– Starts with faithfulness in small things (Lk Starts with faithfulness in small things (Lk

16:10)16:10)– ““If you get tired in a footrace, what will you If you get tired in a footrace, what will you

do when you have to run with the horses?” do when you have to run with the horses?” Jer 12:5Jer 12:5

Areas for faithfulness

• In our relationship to our brethrenIn our relationship to our brethren– Not forsaking the assembly (Heb 10:24-25)Not forsaking the assembly (Heb 10:24-25)– Need to be there for those in trouble (Pr Need to be there for those in trouble (Pr

25:19)25:19)

• A question to ask yourself … A question to ask yourself …

““If everyone were as faithful as I am, If everyone were as faithful as I am, what kind of church would this be?”what kind of church would this be?”

Would there even be a church?Would there even be a church?

Areas for faithfulness

• In our relationship to our familiesIn our relationship to our families– Parents to children and children to parents Parents to children and children to parents

(Eph 6:1-4)(Eph 6:1-4)– Husbands to wives and wives to husbands Husbands to wives and wives to husbands

(Eph 5:22-33)(Eph 5:22-33)

Conclusion

• FaithfulnessFaithfulness– ““describes the man on whose faithful describes the man on whose faithful

service we may rely, on whose loyalty we service we may rely, on whose loyalty we may depend, whose word we can may depend, whose word we can unreservedly accept”unreservedly accept”

– ““describes the man in whom there is the describes the man in whom there is the unswerving and inflexible fidelity of Jesus unswerving and inflexible fidelity of Jesus Christ, and the utter dependability of God”Christ, and the utter dependability of God”

• … … Does it describe you?Does it describe you?