Isn’t this the genuine life-mission of every true follower/disciple of Jesus Christ? The word “faithfulness” appears in both the Old and New Testament biblical texts, primarily addressing two main themes:
- The faithfulness of God
- The faithfulness of God’s people
THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD can simply (perhaps overly simplified) be defined as His determined loyalty to keep His word and fulfill all His covenants. Psalm 25:10 clearly and unmistakably links our God’s faithfulness to the concepts of love and truth … “All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies” … for all those in relationship with Him. However, His faithfulness, fully displayed in love and truth, extends far beyond those who believe — to every aspect of His creations! Psalm 57:10 – “For Your lovingkindness is great to the heavens and Your truth to the clouds.”
Our New Testament scriptures also affirm God’s continued faithfulness which is ultimately, powerfully, permanently, and finally, confirmed in Jesus Christ our Lord. I Corinthians 1:9 declares, “God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” Here, one sees God’s continued determined loyalty to lovingkindness and truth through the continuation of His gracious unalterable covenants. God fully demonstrates His care for all humanity in II Corinthians 1:18-22 –
But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no. For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us — by me and Silvanus and Timothy — was not yes and no, but is yes in Him. For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.
This pledge, of His Holy Spirit, further proves His faithfulness!
THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD’S PEOPLE is also prevalent in both the Old and New Testament scriptures! In Numbers 14:24-25 a noticeable and distinct example of faithfulness results in God’s blessings upon all of Caleb’s descendants!
But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it.
There are numerous examples of “faithfulness” like this in the biblical text that provide illustrations and patterns of this valuable attribute for our lives as authentic believers. Nonetheless, does our God’s faithfulness somehow demand a response of faithfulness from His people … those redeemed and called by His name? That’s a question one must answer.
See, God’s prophet, Samuel spoke openly with the Lord’s people in I Samuel 12:24 –
Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.
The New Testament refers to human faithfulness as a God-granted virtue/asset/quality. In Galatians 5:22 it is listed as fruit in one’s life — resulting from the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit! I Timothy 3:11 exhorts godly women be “faithful in all things.” Matthew and Luke both reference the concepts of the faithful servants and faithful stewards (Matthew 24:45; 25:21,23; Luke 12:42; 16:10-12; 19:17). “Faithful” here is very much role-relative; but the point of the parables is not that the Christian should allow role expectations to determine totally his or her behavior, but that one should be faithful to God and give that loyalty precedence over all others.
In I Timothy 1:12, the apostle Paul gives the reason for his appointment as “faithfulness,” according to Christ’s judgment. He also instructed Pastor Timothy to find “faithful men” and to appoint them to the role of teachers in Christ’s Church (II Timothy 2:2). However, in every one of these examples, faithfulness in a particular role meshes inseparably with faithfulness to the Lord, as is seen by the frequent addition of epistemological phrases such as “in Jesus Christ.”
Now, brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, please meditate on this one for a few days & nights …
It is a trustworthy statement: If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
II Timothy 2:11, 13
That’s our Lord!
His & Yours, PF