Faithful Like God

Faithfulness has lost popularity in our culture. People move from team to team, band to band, fad to fad, job to job and relationship to relationship without missing a beat. We are told to stay true to ourselves rather than staying true to others or to our word. Some even look down on the idea of remaining with something or someone when things take a turn for the worst. Are we expected to be faithful? Isn’t that an archaic ideal that is no longer applicable? Is God really faithful to us?

Deuteronomy 7:9 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments;

Our God is the faithful God. He does what He says. He never fails. He never backs out. He never gives up. He is not only the epitome, but also the definition of faithfulness. He is the standard. Even when His people break their covenant with Him, and turn away, He is ever faithful.

2 Timothy 2:13 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

For Him to be unfaithful is to be contrary to His nature, His character. He would not be God. He has promised to help us, to protect us, to sanctify us, and He will, for He cannot lie or go back on His word. He has promised to forgive. If we repent we will not be turned away.

1 John 1:9 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

As with everything else, as God is faithful, so He expects us to be. Faithfulness is a fruit of the Spirit and as we grow in the sanctification God promises, we will grow in faithfulness.

Galatians 5:22-23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Luke 16:10-13 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

“He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you? And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”

We cannot serve two gods. We cannot be faithful to two different sides. We must choose which side we will serve and be faithful to that. God wants us to be faithful in all our dealings, no matter how insignificant. Even seemingly inconsequential matters like making a promise to a child are infinitely important to God. Our word is a reflection not only of ourselves but of Him and He will not be proved faithless. How we act in these small matters reveal the true nature of our hearts, whether we value our word, whether we are people of integrity.

Are you faithful in everything? Does it bother you if you are unable to keep your word?