The fruit of the spirit is faithfulness. This refers to a faith that lasts; that keeps on going and going even when letting go would be easier than holding on. It is a fruitful faith that begets more faith as we use the faith we have been given. As we explore what it means to be faithful this week, ponder this: faith is something like a muscle which must be exercised if it is to become stronger. The more we use our faith, the more useful it becomes.
"I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself. You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, ‘I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.’" (Psalm 89:1-4)
The psalmist celebrates the faithfulness of God. We might say the psalmist celebrates God's constancy. The Lord is dependable. He does not change. He does waiver. He does not falter. His love endures forever and He keeps His promises no matter the cost. For instance, when God promised David that a descendent of his would always rule over Israel, it meant sacrificing His only Son, Jesus, in order to make sure that happened. Even though the price was terrible, the Lord paid it because the Lord keeps His promises. He is faithful, dependable, constant in His love, and He calls us to become constant, dependable, and faithful as well.
"Judah has been unfaithful. A detestable thing has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the Lord loves by marrying women who worship a foreign god. As for the man who does this, whoever he may be, may the Lord remove him from the tents of Jacob—even though he brings an offering to the Lord Almighty." (Malachi 2:11-12)
The unfaithfulness Malachi preached against was the choice many Israelite men had made to marry a Gentile which was forbidden by the Law. These women did not worship God and often led their husbands into idolatry. Those Israelites were not satisfied, and so had a restless and wandering heart. They rejected the good things God gave them and filled up instead on what the world had to offer. They had somehow forgotten that they belonged to God, and that there was a price to pay for such forgetfulness. Those who follow the Lord must never forget whose they are, lest they no longer find their rest or satisfaction in the God who made them.
“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth[c] will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory." (Matthew 24:30)
Here's an upbeat passage for you. The time to follow Jesus is now. The time to be faithful in now. When Jesus returns with power and great glory, it will be too late (hence the mourning). As we consider His return, let us be found faithful, and let us be diligent in calling others to faithfulness and encouraging them in their faithfulness.
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1)
Jon Gerstel preached a message in our church which addressed this passage and the faith that we are called to as God's people. Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance of what we do not see. Faithfulness is continued confidence in what we hope for and absolute assurance of what we do not see. It is constant, consistent and persistent even though the world assails us with doubt and distraction. A focused faith is a fruitful faith. How's your focus?
Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers.
They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” (John 4:39-42)
An unfaithful woman was transformed into a faithful messenger, and her testimony led others to seek out Jesus and put their faith in Him too. Having been filled, the Samaritan woman became faithful. So, too, are we empowered to be faithful for like her our thirst was satisfied when we were led to put our faith in Jesus Christ who gives us living water.
Good Sabbath! I look forward to seeing all of you today as we worship the Lord our God, "Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you." Come, let us worship together that we might be filled and thus be faithful.
The fruit of the spirit is faithfulness. This refers to a faith that lasts; that keeps on going and going even when letting go would be easier than holding on. It is a fruitful faith that begets more faith as we use the faith we have been given. As we explore what it means to be faithful this week, ponder this: faith is something like a muscle which must be exercised if it is to become stronger. The more we use our faith, the more useful it becomes.
ReplyDelete"I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;
ReplyDeletewith my mouth I will make your faithfulness known
through all generations.
I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.
You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant,
‘I will establish your line forever
and make your throne firm through all generations.’"
(Psalm 89:1-4)
The psalmist celebrates the faithfulness of God. We might say the psalmist celebrates God's constancy. The Lord is dependable. He does not change. He does waiver. He does not falter. His love endures forever and He keeps His promises no matter the cost. For instance, when God promised David that a descendent of his would always rule over Israel, it meant sacrificing His only Son, Jesus, in order to make sure that happened. Even though the price was terrible, the Lord paid it because the Lord keeps His promises. He is faithful, dependable, constant in His love, and He calls us to become constant, dependable, and faithful as well.
"Judah has been unfaithful. A detestable thing has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the Lord loves by marrying women who worship a foreign god. As for the man who does this, whoever he may be, may the Lord remove him from the tents of Jacob—even though he brings an offering to the Lord Almighty." (Malachi 2:11-12)
ReplyDeleteThe unfaithfulness Malachi preached against was the choice many Israelite men had made to marry a Gentile which was forbidden by the Law. These women did not worship God and often led their husbands into idolatry. Those Israelites were not satisfied, and so had a restless and wandering heart. They rejected the good things God gave them and filled up instead on what the world had to offer. They had somehow forgotten that they belonged to God, and that there was a price to pay for such forgetfulness. Those who follow the Lord must never forget whose they are, lest they no longer find their rest or satisfaction in the God who made them.
“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth[c] will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory." (Matthew 24:30)
ReplyDeleteHere's an upbeat passage for you. The time to follow Jesus is now. The time to be faithful in now. When Jesus returns with power and great glory, it will be too late (hence the mourning). As we consider His return, let us be found faithful, and let us be diligent in calling others to faithfulness and encouraging them in their faithfulness.
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1)
ReplyDeleteJon Gerstel preached a message in our church which addressed this passage and the faith that we are called to as God's people. Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance of what we do not see. Faithfulness is continued confidence in what we hope for and absolute assurance of what we do not see. It is constant, consistent and persistent even though the world assails us with doubt and distraction. A focused faith is a fruitful faith. How's your focus?
Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers.
ReplyDeleteThey said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” (John 4:39-42)
An unfaithful woman was transformed into a faithful messenger, and her testimony led others to seek out Jesus and put their faith in Him too. Having been filled, the Samaritan woman became faithful. So, too, are we empowered to be faithful for like her our thirst was satisfied when we were led to put our faith in Jesus Christ who gives us living water.
Good Sabbath! I look forward to seeing all of you today as we worship the Lord our God, "Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you." Come, let us worship together that we might be filled and thus be faithful.
ReplyDelete