What Does It Mean to Be Faithful to God? A Biblical Guide to Faithfulness

What Does It Mean to Be Faithful to God? A Biblical Guide to Faithfulness

Introduction

What is being faithful to God?

Faithfulness is just believing in God?

Does it attend church regularly each week?

Is it reading the bible in the morning?

Is it doing everything exactly as it's supposed to?

Faithfulness is something deeper, as the Bible shows.

To be faithful to God is to stay faithful to God, trust God, obey God and walk with God when things get tough.

Faithfulness isn't a matter of never failing.

It is the idea of going back to God, believing His promises and staying faithful to Him.

Faithfulness is one of the Fruits of the Spirit mentioned by Paul:

But the fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.

— Galatians 5:22–23, KJV

This is not the only part of the Christian life that is about how we start out with God.

It is even about our faithfulness to walk with Him.

What Is Faithfulness?

Biblical faithfulness is a matter of being trustworthy, dependable, loyal, and steadfast.

A true Christian does not obey God only when it is convenient.

When they continue to trust Him:

Prayers seem unanswered.

Circumstances become difficult.

Temptation appears.

They are disappointed by others.

Their plans fail.

They don't understand what God is doing.

Faithfulness says:

I don't fully comprehend all of it, but I will believe it in Jesus' name.

Faith and Faithfulness

The term that is translated "faith" in Galatians 5:22 can also mean faithfulness or trustworthiness.

These ideas are intertwined.

Faith is trusting God.

Faithfulness is giving that trust a form in our lives!

Faith says:

"I believe God."

Faithfulness says:

I walk with God because I believe in Him.

God is Faithful First.

The Bible precedes the command to be faithful by emphasizing regularly God's faithfulness.

Moses declared:

He is the rock, his works are perfect. . . . . . .

— Deuteronomy 32:4

God is faithful to His Word.

He is not taken aback by His plans.

He is loyal when others are not.

This is the basis of Christian loyalty.

We are not to become faithful because God has failed us.

We are faithful because He has been faithful to us.

Faithfulness When Life Is Difficult

When things are going well, it's easy to trust God.

But hard times show the strength of our faith.

Job is one of Scripture's greatest examples.

He lost his things.

He was orphaned.

He was in terrible condition.

His companions asked him.

But Job did not give up on God; he kept his fight with Him going.

Faithfulness does not mean that we never ask questions.

It is turning toward God even in our questions, it's us asking questions and turning toward God.

Faithfulness doesn't have to be a perfect life.

This is important.

Even faithful Christians err.

Peter denied Jesus.

David was guilty of great sins.

Abraham made mistakes.

Jesus was misunderstood by the disciples many times.

Faithfulness does not equal perfection.

It is perseverance.

If we fall down we get up.

We confess and we repent when we sin.

We go back to God when we fall into discouragement.

We seek Him and His strength when we are weak.

David: A man who kept coming back to God.

David's life is an example of failure and faithfulness.

He was a great sinner.

However, the Bible teaches us many times – David repented to God.

His Psalms are a record of a man who came to God with his fears, guilt, confusion, gratitude and worship.

Faithfulness is not pretending that we are strong.

It is a matter of persevering in seeking God even though we know we are weak.

Daniel: Faithfulness Under Pressure

Daniel is another good example.

He had an environment where the people did not believe in the God of Israel.

However, Daniel still prayed to God.

Daniel was faithful even when it was dangerous to pray.

His circumstances changed.

His environment changed.

Political rulers changed.

However, his love for God stayed.

Faithfulness is being steadfast in God regardless of circumstances around us.

Faithfulness in Small Things

Jesus said an important thing:

“Whoever is faithful in the least thing is faithful also in everything.”

— Luke 16:10, KJV

Never did anyone want to be faithful because of something spectacular that had occurred.

It starts with the normal ones.

Honesty In The Absence Of Other People!

Keeping your promises.

Being present at the agreed time.

Respecting individuals.

Completing assignments properly.

Prayer for the unknown.

When there is an opportunity to be less than honest, choosing to be honest instead.

Our character is formed by our small acts of faithfulness.

Faithfulness in Prayer

One who is faithful in his Christian faith still prays even if there is no prompt response.

Jesus said to His disciples:

Men should always pray, and never grow faint.

— Luke 18:1, KJV

Continual prayer can be a sign of faith.

It says:

God, I guess I don't know when you are going to respond, but I know you do.

Faithfulness in God's Word

Likewise, faithfulness requires that you take God's Word seriously.

It's significant to read Scripture.

Faithfulness is more than reading, however.

It is letting the scripture guide us to make our choices.

Jesus said:

He said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

— John 14:15, KJV

One of the easiest ways to love God is to obey Him.

Faithfulness When Nobody else is Present.

The ultimate test is when no one is looking.

In times when no one will know.

When there is no reward.

If no one will tell you good job.

Will you act justly yet again?Will you exercise justice yet again?

God sees what people don't.

Faithfulness is a way of living with integrity even if they were not gaining anything from it.

Faithfulness in Relationships

Faithfulness isn't limited to our relationship with God.

It should be a guide to our relationship with people.

A loyal follower is one who is trying to be:

Honest.

Dependable.

Loyal.

Forgiving.

Trustworthy.

Compassionate.

Our relationships should be based upon faithfulness that we have received from God.

Faithfulness in the Digital Age

Faithfulness is also found in our Internet lives.

Ask yourself:

Is my online identity me or some other person?

Are your posts in line with your faith?

Are you a person who sticks to your word?

Are you responsible with sharing information?

Show respect towards others?

Are you true to your morals in an anonymous environment?

Christian character must not change because we're behind a screen.

Faithfulness During Temptation

Faithfulness is crucial when temptation comes along.

The allure of temptation is usually short-term gratification, but long-term consequences.

Faithfulness is doing what God wants for the short term when what is wanted is desirable.

Jesus showed us this in His temptation in the Wilderness.

He would not bow down to His Father's will.

Faithfulness and Perseverance

The Christian life is not a sprint, it's a marathon.

There will be times of fun.

There will be times throughout the year when believing is hard.

You may experience:

Doubt.

Disappointment.

Spiritual dryness.

Failure.

Waiting.

Grief.

Faithfulness means continuing.

Paul encouraged believers:

Don't get weary in doing well...

— Galatians 6:9, KJV

Faithfulness has its moments of brilliance.

At other times it's just getting up the next day and following God.

What Can You Do to Grow in Faithfulness to God?

1. Remember God's Faithfulness

Remember God's work that has already been accomplished.

Remember His promises.

Don't forget when He carried you through the rough times!

2. Put God First in your Relationship

Prayer and Scripture aren't merely religious tasks.

They sustain and develop your connection to God.

3. Do what is right in the little things

Be not waiting for a great opportunity to be faithful.

Practice faithfulness today.

4. Keep Your Promises

Make your word count.

Commitment to doing something: make all reasonable efforts.

5.If you fail to repent quickly, you will be lost.

Don't allow shame to keep you away from God.

Return to Him.

Confess.

Receive His grace.

Continue walking.

6. Be faithful in the waiting.

The times of spiritual development that are most crucial are the times in which nothing seems to be happening.

Trust is a lesson we may learn in waiting.

These are some of the indicators that you are becoming faithful.

Ask yourself:

When things get tough, do I continue to follow God or not?

Do they know they can trust me?

Am I true to my word?

If nobody's around, am I faithful?

Am I willing to do what God tells me, even if I don't want to do it?

Once I have failed, am I now off the list of God's favorites?

Am I being more reliable?

Do I do what I say I do?

These are not questions that are condemning!

These are moments to engage in candid self-evaluation.

Faithfulness Is Not Earned God's Love

This is essential.

We don't become faithful because God will love us.

God's love is foremost.

We are faithful towards His grace.

The way to be a Christian is not to buy salvation.

But it is a reaction to the salvation that God has already given through Christ.

Jesus Is the Perfect Example of Faithfulness

Jesus obeyed the Father even when it meant that He would have to go to the cross.

He experienced:

Rejection.

Betrayal.

False accusations.

Physical suffering.

Abandonment.

However, He was still subservient.

He was most faithful at Calvary.

When Jesus' mission became painful, He did not give up.

He completed it.

The Promises to those who stay faithful

The Lord has given us a great promise in Scripture.

Jesus said:

Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

— Revelation 2:10, KJV

It is important to be faithful because eternity is important.

God sees what no one else sees: the quiet obedience.

He listens to the prayers.

He feels the mortifications.

He experiences your choices to obey instead of to sin.

If you do it with a good heart for God, it will not be wasted.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I be faithful to God?

It is to be faithful to God, to believe His promises, to follow His Word, and to follow Him in the good times and the difficult times.

Does being faithful mean being perfect?

No.

But faithful people still fall short.

Faithfulness is to return to God, repent and walk with Him.

When God is silent, how can I know that I can still be faithful?

Keep on praying, stay in the Word, live in the community, be reminded of God's faithfulness in the past.

Silence does not necessarily mean absence.

What if I have been unfaithful to God a lot of times?

Don't give up on a story because it fails.

Turn back to God.

Repent.

Receive His grace.

Then walk with Him the rest of the way.

Reflection

Often faithfulness is silent.

May not be applauded.

No one will know the prayer you prayed at midnight.

No one may know about the temptation that you resisted.

No one will ever know the sacrifice you took.

But God sees.

Faithfulness is to continue to believe in Him when you do not have all the answers.

It is to follow instructions when it is hard to follow.

It implies that you stay committed to your promises.

It is sticking with it when things change.

It is a willingness to come back to God in case of failure.

First, and foremost, it means remembering that our faithfulness starts with His faithfulness.

God's faithfulness never failed.

His promises remain.

His grace remains.

His love remains.

We can walk with Him as He is faithful.

He is faithful who calls, He will do it.

— 1 Thessalonians 5:24, KJV

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for always being faithful. When my faith becomes weak, remind me of Your promises. When life becomes difficult, give me strength to continue trusting You. Help me to be faithful in small things and in my relationships and my work and my words and my private life.

If I fall down, help me get back to You, don't get away. May I have a heart that longs to obey You and a life that is faithful to You.

Guide me in the way I should walk, in Your presence and in Your fear.

May I stay true to You till I die.

In Jesus' name, Amen.