Faithfulness – The Fruit of the Spirit (part 8)

Faithfulness is the seventh fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23.

To be faithful is to “keep hold.” Faithfulness to God is described in Hebrews 10:23 as “let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful.”

God is faithful to his people and to do all the things he has promised. God does not fail to do a single thing that he has said he would do. And God will not lose from his hand those who have received eternal life through Jesus (John 10:27-30).

On this foundation, God has called us to be faithful to him. The letters to the churches in Revelation 2-3 call for faithfulness or endurance. To be faithful to God is to live in the light of his promises no matter what the world throws at us. People might disappoint. Disaster might strike. We might suffer loss. But God will make all things right, so we hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on…

Faithfulness also extends to others. This will look different from relationship to relationship, but faithfulness will “keep hold” for the good of others. As spouses, we are faithful as we live in sexual purity, sharing our bodies only with each other. We are also faithful as we devote ourselves to sacrificial love that we seek the best for our husband or wife. As parents, we are faithful as we commit to supply and care for our children until they become adults who can care for themselves. Then we continue to be faithful as we pray for them, love them, their spouses, and their children. As friends, we are faithful as we encourage one another and nurture the friendship so we can see each other excel in life and godliness.

Faithfulness takes many forms, but at it’s root is that sense of commitment. Faithfulness says, “I’m in this for the long haul and I won’t be derailed.”

The strength for faithful endurance comes from the Holy Spirit dwelling within. Life and relationships will have their ups and downs. Sometimes life even throws massive curveballs that we didn’t see coming. The Spirit guides us through all of this. He develops in our hearts the fruit of greater faithfulness so that we won’t simply endure the bumps but will be better on the other side (James 1:2-4).

So, let us pray that God will grant us greater faithfulness through the power of his Spirit.

Next time we’ll consider the fruit of gentleness.

Scripture references taken from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB).