Today, the Word of God invites us to examine a fundamental principle, one that requires a determined stance from us.
I am speaking of something that, when embraced, transforms our journey, but when neglected, can bring serious risks. This will lead us to reflect on decisions we might never have wanted to make, and it will bring discomfort and confront you with the danger of how you are living.
This principle is… FAITHFULNESS
Faithfulness demands sacrifice, demands surrender, demands submission, demands character, demands the fruits of commitment.
The Bible reveals to us that: If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown himself. (2 Timothy 2:13 NVI).
This verse reveals the unwavering faithfulness of God. God’s faithfulness is a path that leads us to blessing and eternal life. Faithfulness is a central theme in the Bible; the Bible emphasises God’s faithfulness as unquestionable and infallible, and there are various verses that address this concept.
Just as faithfulness brings great benefits, unfaithfulness brings serious consequences.
Saul died in that way because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not obey the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance (1 Chronicles 10:13 NVI).
One of the great anticipated moments in a wedding ceremony, besides the bride’s entrance, is the vows of faithfulness and commitment, which both partners expect to hear from one another. And this phrase must not be forgotten: ‘I promise to be faithful.’
Think of something everyone here hates: it’s unfaithfulness. And God also hates unfaithfulness. Look at Malachi 2:16
“I hate divorce,” says the Lord God of Israel. Malachi 2:16
What God is truly expressing is, ‘I hate unfaithfulness.’ And do you know why God hates it? Verse 14 will explain the reason: “You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.” Malachi 2:14
Unfaithfulness is the door through which relationships are destroyed; through it enter distrust, betrayal, lies, adultery, and much more. Think about how unfaithfulness can manifests itself:
When we are not faithful to our words and promises of commitment;
We are not faithful in our relationships, in our companionship;
We are not even faithful to our own words spoken in prayers;
We are not faithful to our brothers and sisters in Christ when we talk behind their backs.
We are not faithful to our salvation, neglecting our souls.
We are not faithful to God in His Word, we are not faithful in our tithes and offerings, in prayer meetings, in small group meetings, in church services, we are not faithful to our Pastors and to the Church, and so on.
Faithfulness, in practical terms, means constant commitment to someone or something, even when difficulties, temptations, or easier alternatives arise.
Here are practical examples of faithfulness:
1- In a romantic relationship: To be faithful means to remain loyal to your partner, not to betray (either physically or emotionally), to respect the couple’s agreements, and to act with transparency.
2- In friendship: To be present in good and bad times, to keep confidences, and to support without self-interest.
3- At work: To fulfil your responsibilities with ethics and excellence, do not support dishonesty, not disclose confidential information, and to act with total integrity, even when no one is watching.
4- With your principles and values: To be faithful is to defend what you believe, what the Word of God teaches, even if it means being unpopular or losing superficial opportunities and advantages that compromise your essence.
5- In faith or spirituality: Faithfulness is to practise what you believe, to remain firm in the pursuit of God, with your church, even in moments of doubt or suffering.
In summary, Faithfulness is keeping your word, commitment, and consistency in all areas of life, even when it would be easier to do the opposite. Faithfulness is a clear sign of character and maturity.
Faithfulness as a virtue.
Faithfulness is a Christian virtue, a fruit of the Spirit in the life of a Christian. Faithfulness is an undeniable, unyielding moral and ethical characteristic; this virtue does not allow one’s conduct to be corrupted.
As we saw in 2 Timothy 2:13: If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. That God is faithful, we know that, but what about us? And what about you?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, FAITHFULNESS , gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22 NVI).
Faithfulness affects all relationships. As we see, it is a virtue, a fruit of the Spirit.
When we receive Christ as Lord, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us and brings the blessings of love, joy, peace, and faithfulness. The fullness of these blessings depends on walking with God and surrendering to His Spirit. We must be faithful to reading and obeying the Word of God and seeking the Lord in prayer. As the psalmist cries out:
“But I give myself to prayer” (Psalm 109:4 NVI)
Faithfulness may be one of the least popular virtues today. In these times when the pursuit of happiness justifies any reason and action, including those that were disapproved of a few decades ago (such as abandoning a family for something that supposedly will bring more satisfaction), bringing such a topic to light can bring discomfort to many. Faithfulness, by definition, is linked to loyalty and zeal.
Faithfulness is continuous.
Faithfulness presupposes loyalty over a long period of time; in fact, if we think about it, faithfulness is only real if it has no end. And a break in loyalty at any moment only reveals that real faithfulness never truly existed. This is why John encourages the church in Smyrna in Asia:
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be FAITHFUL, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” (Revelation 2:10 NVI).
John encourages perseverance in faith and faithfulness to God, even in the face of trials and temptations.
We must place all our trust and dependence on God when it comes to God’s faithfulness. See what Paul writes to the church in Thessalonica:
“But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3 NVI)
God is faithful; he will protect us from the evil one, he shields us from evil. He is faithful to guard us from temptation; God sets limits on our temptation.
Look again at Corinthians: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And 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 endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NVI).
What we must understand here is that temptation is common, it is natural to humans; it is unnatural. Jesus also went through every kind of temptation, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15 NVI).
God is faithful; He himself provides a way out for us. You know what Paul writes to the church in Thessalonica? “The one who calls you is FAITHFUL, and He will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24 NVI).
Perhaps you think: ‘I’ve sinned, I’ve made mistakes, I’ve lied, I’ve failed, I’ve fallen into temptation,’ etc. Remember that Abraham also lied once, David also committed adultery once, David even murdered once. Repent, confess, and forsake. Why? Because God is faithful! See what John encourages us with:
“If we confess our sins, he is FAITHFUL and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 NVI).
If you recognise that you have sinned, if you repent, if you confess, if you abandon the practice of your sin, as Abraham did, as David did, as King Manasseh did, I guarantee you: God is faithful, the Lord will have mercy on you.
“In his distress he sought the favour of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God.” (2 Chronicles 33:12-13 NVI).
But if you do not repent, if you do not change your attitudes, your bad days will never end, like Zedekiah, or Saul.
Saul died in that way because he was UNFAITHFUL to the Lord; he did not obey the word of the Lord (1 Chronicles 10:13 NVI).
We must pay close attention to God’s promises and to His warnings; the consequences are inevitable, both of blessing and of curse.
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is FAITHFUL.” (Hebrews 10:23 NVI).
You know one thing I’ve learned reading the letter to the Romans is that my unfaithfulness does not nullify God’s faithfulness. If we lack faith, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. (Referencing 2 Timothy 2:13).
God’s faithfulness as an attribute.
“What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: ‘So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.’” (Romans 3:3-4 NVI).
When God makes a promise, things happen, even when it seems impossible. This applies to the past, present, and future.
If God were unfaithful, even once, He would not be God, and we could not place such trust in any of His promises.
“Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God made to you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.” (Joshua 23:14 NVI).
God is eternally trustworthy, firm, and unshakeable, because faithfulness is one of His inherent attributes. God does not need to strive to be faithful; He is faithful. Faithfulness is an essential part of who He is. The concept of faithfulness manifests perfectly in God. He is the only one who can be eternally and perfectly loyal. Faithfulness is an essential part of who He is. In His faithfulness, God protects us from evil, sets limits to our temptations, forgives our sins, and sanctifies us. See how Paul again encourages the Corinthians:
“God is FAITHFUL, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:9 NVI)
When a person walks consistently with God in humility and service, they can be called faithful. This faithfulness is associated with reverence, character, and commitment to the business of God. Reverence for His holiness: the more we know God, the more we desire to imitate Him.
When we see the affirmation “God is faithful” on car stickers across the city, on signs inside homes, on a magnet on a fridge door, on posters, on books, some things should come to mind.
Yes, we know God is faithful. But faithful to whom? And faithful to do what?
The entire Bible expresses that God is faithful to His purposes and to His word.
In short, God is faithful to Himself.
If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. (2 Timothy 2:13 NVI).
Your unfaithfulness will not nullify God’s faithfulness (Romans 3:3 NVI).
He is faithful to His word, faithful to His promises, faithful in His relationship with humanity. God promises a son to Abraham in Genesis 18:10, and fulfils His promise in Genesis 21:2, despite the couple’s old age. To Abraham, God also promises that the Messiah, the Saviour of the world, would come from his lineage, and in Mary, the chosen virgin, the promise is seen to be fulfilled in Matthew 1:21. We see a recurring pattern in the Old Testament: when God makes a promise, it becomes a reality. By nature, our faithfulness is enslaved to our own desires, but God’s saving work and the indwelling of the Spirit in our hearts give us life and the ability to be faithful to God, through the transformation He works in us (1 Corinthians 6:11 NVI).
Conclusion: Challenge and Reflection.
As Christians, we are also called to live in faithfulness to God and His Word (which is reflected in obedience), even if imperfectly.
Faithfulness should never be presented as something conditional to our own effort.
Faithfulness can only be exercised by grace, in dependence on the Spirit; it is impossible for an unholy person.
“Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.”2 Timothy 1:14
Thus, our faithfulness is only possible through God’s own perfect faithfulness, and trusting in this faithfulness helps us to be faithful to our Master Jesus in every situation.
God’s faithfulness, combined with His grace, goodness, and mercy, was precisely what led Him to carry out the plan of salvation, which transformed sinners like us into His children.
It is out of love that He extends His promises to us, including us in His plan of Redemption, and through His faithfulness we can trust in each one of them. Because God is faithful, we can be too.
It is exactly this faithfulness that led to our justification, which sanctifies us today, and which will keep us until our final glorification.
We ought to live each day in this life for that very phrase which I hope to hear from the Lord Jesus when I cross the eternal portals in Heaven:
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” Matthew 25:21 NIV
Faithfulness does not imply a sinless life, but rather a life of continuous repentance and dependence on grace (1 John 1:8, 9), trusting the promise that God will gradually transform us into the image of His Son, because God is faithful (Philippians 1:6).