We need a faithful heart to follow Jesus. Proverbs 3: 3 says do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. What is faithfulness? It is divine honesty before God that enables true loyalty, humility and worship in all circumstances. It is one of the cardinal prerequisites for eternal life with Christ Jesus.
Jesus, speaking in Revelation 2:10 said be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. In effect, it is a requirement for God’s reward of life. This has been the principle of life since creation and it is unchangeable because it is dear to God. 1 Samuel 26: 23 says the LORD rewards everyone for his righteousness and his faithfulness. Faithfulness is counted as righteousness so we must be faithful in order to attain righteousness. An unfaithful person to God cannot be righteous in God’s sight.
The root of faithfulness
Faithfulness comes from the heart because it is God’s nature for us to exemplify. Deuteronomy 32: 4 says a faithful God, without deceit, just and upright is he. Psalms 145:13 says the LORD is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds. Paul also affirmed in 1 Corinthians 1: 9, God is faithful, by him you were called into fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore faithfulness is God’s nature of uprightness in word and deed that enables us to have fellowship with Christ Jesus.
Faithfulness to God is a biblical requirement. Joshua 24: 14 says now therefore revere the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Also, 1 Samuel 12: 24 says only fear the LORD, and serve him faithfully with all your heart, for considering what great things he has done for you. The above biblical references were in appreciation for God’s role in the life of Israel with or without support because no support can be given or received or yield results without God’s approval.
Why faithfulness?
Faithfulness to God brings us blessings rather than curses and chaos. 1 Samuel 2: 9 says He (God) will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might does one prevail. God perceives unfaithfulness to him as wickedness. It shows we are unappreciative of God for all his goodness and mercy and favour upon our lives. Faithfulness is the qualification by which God chooses people unto himself. It is not by knowledge or power or wealth or gender or race etc. Faithfulness permits unconditional obedience and humility to Christ Jesus.
God said in 1 Samuel 2: 35 I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. God executes his plan through his faithful ones and not rebellious hearts or seared minds. Jeremiah 29: 11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Surely, the unfaithful will miss God’s welfare plan. God assured Israel of good leaders if their heirs would be faithful in heart and soul, 1 Kings 2: 4.
Fruit of faithfulness
God uses the same “faithfulness” criteria to appoint leaders and rulers for us. God rewarded David for his faithfulness, 1 Kings 3: 6. Psalms 4: 3 says know that the LORD has set apart the faithful for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him. God does his work in faithfulness, Psalms 33: 4. God does not forsake his faithful ones, Psalms 37: 28. God speaks his vision to his faithful ones, Psalm 89: 19. God guards the lives of his faithful, Psalms 97: 10; 101: 6; 116: 15. By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by fear of the LORD one avoids evil, Proverbs 16: 6.
Faithfulness abounds with blessings, Luke 16: 10-12. Our unfaithfulness does not nullify or change God’s faithfulness, Romans 3: 3. Faithfulness is God’s nature therefore Jesus is called Faithful and True, Revelation 19: 11. Unfaithfulness has consequences. God warned Israel, if you are unfaithful I will scatter you among the peoples, Nehemiah 1: 8. Judah went into exile because of their unfaithfulness, 1 Chronicles 9: 1. Saul died for his unfaithfulness, 1 Chronicles 10: 13. Are we faithful in our hearts to God? Can God trust us?
The day’s caution
Do we want to live or die? Do we want to be gathered or scattered? Do we want to be free or bonded in slavery? Do we want to be under God’s covering or cast out? Do we want to be friends of God or not? The time is closing so fast and we cannot delay. Hebrews 9: 27 says, it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment. Death is inevitable and no one knows when it will come. Solomon wrote in Proverbs 14: 12; 16: 25, there is a way that seems right to a person, but the end is the way of death. Will we be on the right way when death comes?
Jesus said in Matthew 6: 24; Luke 16: 13, “No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. To whom are we faithful to secure our eternity?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, your word is always true that without faithfulness, we cannot walk with you. We sincerely apologize for the times we have betrayed you through our unfaithfulness and thereby breached the trust you have in us. Graciously heal our unfaithfulness by washing us in your blood. Save our souls from perishing. Teach us to be faithful and to rejoice in you in all circumstances. We pray in your holy name, Amen!!
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