Season 02 Episode 07: Radiant Faithfulness
The fruit of the Spirit, which Paul wrote about in the book of Galatians, has been the focus of this season. I’ve been challenged with the study and keep thinking this characteristic is the most challenging until I begin studying for the next one. This is my way of issuing a disclaimer about today’s topic, I want to prepare you to be challenged.
Faithfulness. Who or what comes to mind when you hear this word? A person, a relationship, perhaps a lack of faithfulness, and the impact on your life. In Galatians 5:22, when Paul listed faithfulness as a fruit of the spirit, he used the Greek word “pistis”. Defined, pistis means to persuade or be persuaded.
I have always believed the weight of producing faithfulness fell squarely on my shoulders. If you stop and think for a moment about a time you were persuaded, whose job was it to convince you? Yours, or the person doing the persuading?
When our boys were small, my husband and I decided to try camping. Now, if you know me, you know I’m up for an adventure when it includes a plan and a trail map. I enjoy spending time outdoors, but I also enjoy hot water and air conditioning. Our first camping trip consisted of tents and sleeping bags, resulting in two tired, hot, and grumpy parents. The boys, being young enough to sleep anywhere, loved every moment. A few months later, my husband shared a deal on a little camper, complete with 1970s wood paneling. I’d already forgotten the misery of our camping experience, feeling our tents would suffice, I insisted we save our money. However, he persisted in reminding me of the hard ground, the humidity, and the complaining I did over everything feeling dirty. Honestly, it didn’t take much to persuade me as the memories did little to encourage another camping experience, but I wanted to spend time with our boys exploring nature. Purchasing our first camper was one of the wins of parenting, and I’m thankful I allowed myself to be persuaded.
Faithfulness is core to the believer, as the follower of Christ is divinely persuaded to trust in an unseen God.
When we read the accounts of those who inspire us in the Bible, we aren’t drawn to their perfection but to their faithfulness. Just open Hebrews 11, the great hall of faith chapter, and read about Noah’s faithfulness to build a boat even though the world couldn’t comprehend a flood. Read about Abraham and Sarah whose faithfulness resulted in the birth of a nation. And about others whose faith led them to imprisonment, torture, and death refusing to turn from a God who set them free from sin.
How could they, despite the odds, despite the hardships and disappointments in life, remain faithful? Because Faith doesn’t depend on you or me. Faith is always a gift from God.
Romans 12:3 tells us, “For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.” (HSCB)
Belief is vital, yes, for “Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists”…(Hebrews 11:6 NLT) Believing is your job. But we also know, the demons believe and tremble yet they do not have faith (James 2:19) A personal encounter with Christ, a connection to Him and His word is needed for belief to be transformed into faith. And faith comes from God’s word. He is the persuader and takes the weight of responsibility to persuade. Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. (Romans 10:17)
Faith isn’t merely believing, but goes beyond belief, as part of the revelation of the existence of God.
A revelation we find when we immerse ourselves in his word. The question of faithfulness becomes, have you believed, have you allowed yourself to become persuaded by God and transformed by the Holy Spirit? Or are you trying to persuade yourself? M. Lloyd Jones, a Welsh doctor and minister of Westminster Chapel said, “with faith, there is no strain or tension; if there is strain or tension… trying to persuade yourself to keep from doubting, you can be quite sure that it is not faith.”
Without the Holy Spirit, we can’t reflect faithfulness, and it’s how we know the Spirit is at work in our lives because faithfulness is a byproduct of the Holy Spirit’s presence. It’s not so much about loyalty, but rather about trusting the purpose, plan, and path of Christ for your life. And I can’t trust Him without laying down my desires and having faith in His instructions I find in the word.
Faithfulness means I am also a good steward of what I have been given. The great commission, to “go and make disciples”, I need to ask am I faithful to this calling on my life? Am I faithful, as a disciple, to the teachings of Jesus, do they show up in my thoughts and actions?
Paul’s instructions to the Corinthians apply to us today. “For we walk by faith, not by sight, and we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord.” (Corinthians 5:7)
Faithfulness isn’t a burden when things are good. What about when your reality doesn’t match the dream God gave you. For Abraham, he never witnessed his descendants becoming as numerous as the stars. Can you be faithful in the difficult moments, in the confusion, in what looks like the failure?
Jesus death looked like a failure, but He was faithful to complete the plan of the Father. There is something about having faith in the sacrifice, and we can be sure faithfulness can only be produced by the spirit in moments of perseverance. The result joy. James 1:2-3 says “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
The joy you will experience at the end of the journey is what gives us faith in the next step God asks us to take. He is always building faith in the yielded believer.
When we adopted our daughter, I was so full of faith, certain of God’s calling on our decision. But instead of a two-year timeline, I expected to be miraculously shortened, the process extended to almost four years. Years of continuing to believe, years of heartache and questions, years of seeing her grow in pictures, and years of surrendering both our lives to His will. When God brought her home, in His timing, this led to an increase in faith. A necessary increase in faith was needed a few years later when He called us to plant a church.
What then do I do to follow the proverb, “Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you. Bind them on your neck; write then on the tablet of your heart.” (Proverbs 3:34)
There are three questions to ask yourself when it comes to faithfulness.
First, who am I surrounding myself with?
As Christians, it is necessary to surround ourselves with other believers who will encourage us to turn to the Word for our answers. Those moments of trial, of needing to persevere, happen to us all and our faithfulness to God’s instructions will be tested. When you face those tests, you need others who will influence you to make choices reflecting your faithfulness, not your feelings.
Second, where am I putting myself?
We all know there are certain places we shouldn’t go. Many times though, it’s not the obvious, our enemy is more subtle than that. When you enter a conversation and know right away the words being spoken aren’t life-giving, should you be there? And what about the times you don’t like going to church (admit it we all have those days), will you choose to be faithful and go where you need to be?
Third, what am I willing to let the Holy Spirit transform?
What is God calling you to be faithful to? In order to be faithful what work does He need to do in your life. Make a list, is it a marriage? Do you need to allow Him to do a work on your heart instead of asking Him to fix your spouse? Is it with your resources? Has he called you to give your time, to steward your money a certain way but you need to allow Him to prune some other areas of your life?
Living radiantly means choosing faithfulness above all else, and allowing myself to be convinced that God's plan, purpose, and path for my life are for my good and His glory.
Can we pray together, for the fruit of the Spirit to be reflected in our lives?
Father, I’m thankful even when I’m not allowing the Spirit to produce faithfulness you are still faithful. Because your word reminds us Great is your faithfulness. Help me to remember you believe in me, you have entrusted me with a purpose, to spread the message of the good news. When I am weak, and my feelings want to get in the way send others to remind me to make choices reflecting you. Help me turn to the word, knowing in doing so you will build my faith. Make it clear when I am in spaces I should not be in, and convict me when I’m not where you want me. Holy Spirit, transform me, search me and know my heart, test me and know my thoughts, and lead me in the way ever lasting.
Let’s go live radiantly.
XOXO,
Laura
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Romans 12
Hebrews 11
Become by Charlotte Gambill
https://ezraproject.com/pistis-who-can-i-trust/
All scripture NIV unless otherwise noted
