Faithfulness Defined

Faith is defined as “the assent of the mind or understanding to the truth of divine revelation, on the authority of God’s testimony, accompanied with a [affectionate] assent of the will or [approval] of the heart.’

“It is an entire confidence or trust in God’s character and declarations, and in the character and doctrines of Christ, with an unreserved surrender of the will to His guidance, and dependence on His merits for salvation.”

“That firm belief of God’s testimony, and of the truth of the gospel, which influences the will, and leads to an entire reliance on Christ for salvation.” [Webster]

Faithfulness is a “firm adherence to allegiance and duty; a strict performance of promises, vows or covenants; loyalty.” [Webster]

Cultivating Faithfulness

David encourages us to “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.” (Psalm 37:3 NASB)

Cultivate means “to till; to prepare for crops; to manure, plow, dress, to sow and reap; to improve by labor or study; to advance the growth of; to refine and improve by correction of faults, and enlargement of good qualities; to improve.” [Webster]

“It is significant that the apostle distinguishes between the works of the flesh, and the fruit of the Spirit. Works are produced by human energy. Fruit it grown as a branch abides in the vine (John 15:5). They differ as a factory and a garden differ.” [MacDonald 1924]

Just as a farmer ‘cultivates’ his soil, so the Lord wants us to ‘cultivate’ faithfulness. It’s not ‘works’ based on one’s own strength and energy, but a cultivating of our heart, mind, soul and strength unto Him.

The Lord wants us to cultivate faithfulness by cultivating our heart, mind, soul and strength unto Him. ~Lisa Blair

How to Cultivate Faithfulness

Cultivating or feeding on God’s faithfulness is to “trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times; to pour out our hearts before Him. God is our refuge (fortress and high tower).” (Psalm 62:8 AMPC)

• Trust – to believe; to commit to the care of our Maker – ourselves and all our concerns.
• Lean – to bend or incline so as to rest on something or someone.
• Rely – to depend; we rely on the mercy and promises of God; that which is the ground of confidence, is a certainty or full conviction that satisfies the mind and leaves it at rest, or undisturbed by doubt.
• Confidence –a trust or reliance; an assurance of mind or firm belief in the integrity or stability of another, or in the truth and reality of a fact.
• Pour out – to send forth; as, to pour out words, prayers or sighs; to pour out our heart or soul. [Webster]

Cultivating Spirit given character leads us to pour out our hearts to Him as we trust, lean and rely on Him in the confidence of who He is as the Lover of our souls, Friend, Deliverer, and our Refuge. We can trust Him for He is Faithful and True!

“Now faith is the assurance [confirmation] of things hoped for, the conviction [evidence] of things [reality – faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses] not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1 NASB/AMPC)

Faithfulness in the Psalms

“For the word of the Lord is upright, and all His work is done in faithfulness.” (Psalm 33:4 NASB)

“Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” (Psalm 36:5 NASB)

“I will sing of the lovingkindness of the Lord forever; to all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth. For I have said, ‘Lovingkindness will be built up forever; in the heavens You will establish Your faithfulness.” (Psalm 89:1-2 NASB)

“O Lord God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty Lord? Your faithfulness surrounds You.” (Psalm 89:8 NASB)

I will “declare Your lovingkindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night.” (Psalm 92:2 NASB)

“For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 100:5 NASB)

“Your faithfulness continue throughout all generations; You established the earth, and it stands.” (Psalm 119:90 NASB)

Faithfulness in Times of Trouble

“All Your commandments are faithful and sure. [The godless] pursue and persecute me with falsehood; help me [Lord]!”  (Psalm 119:86 AMPC)

“Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications! Answer me in Your faithfulness, in Your righteousness!” (Psalm 143:1 NASB)

“He will cover us with His feathers. Under His wings we will take refuge. His faithfulness is our shield and [fortification].” (Psalm 91:4 WEB)

“I have chosen the way of truth and faithfulness; Your ordinances have I set before me.” (Psalm 119:30 AMPC)

“My eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with Me; He who walks in a blameless way is the one who will minister to Me.” (Psalm 101:6 NASB)

Foundational Thoughts on Faithfulness

“The person known for ‘faith’ or ‘faithfulness’ is the reliable and dependable person. He keeps his word and fulfills his promises. Paul told Timothy to look for ‘faithful men’ and entrust them with teaching others the gospel (2 Timothy 2:2). One of the most difficult things to do in the Christian faith is to be faithful to your assignment in hard times. It takes the work of the Spirit to produce such steadfastness in life, ministry, and marriage.” [Platt 2266]

“These are the same character traits of Christ Jesus, and of God the Father. God’s nature is what is being replicated in the person who believes in Jesus and seeks to be led by the Spirit. The fruit that is born in the believer’s life is fruit that the Spirit produces. It is not fruit that can be manufactured by the believer’s will, intellect, desire, or effort. It is fruit that is produced as a person ‘walks in the Spirit’ and seeks to be led by the Spirit.” [Blackaby 58]

“Paul obviously does not mean faith in Christ, but faith in men. Such faith is not suspicious of people but believes the best. Naturally the possessor of such faith will be deceived, but he lets it pass. He is ready to believe all men, but he will not trust all men.”

“Where this virtue [faithfulness] is lacking men are suspicious, forward, and wayward and will believe nothing nor yield to anybody. No matter how well a person says or does anything, they will find fault with it, and if you do not humor them you can never please them. It is quite impossible to get along with them. Such faith in people therefore, is quite necessary.” [Luther 167]

“Paul exhorts us to not use our liberty as an occasion to the flesh, but by love to serve one another. Faith, [loyalty], justice, and honesty, in which we profess and promise to others.” [Henry]

The Holy Spirit produces one kind of fruit, that is, Christlikeness. All the virtues now listed describe the life of the child of God. Faithfulness may mean trust in God, confidence in our fellow Christians, [honesty], or reliability. [MacDonald 1924]

Faithfulness in Quotes

Faithfulness knows no difference between small and great duties. ~John Ruskin

One thing you can give and still keep is your word. ~Anonymous

When faithfulness is most difficult, it is most necessary. ~Anonymous

Faithfulness in little things is a big thing. ~Chrysostom

Reverent fear of God is the key to faithfulness in any situation. ~Alan Redpath

Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservations. ~Elton Trueblood

Stay faithful. If you’re hurting, stay hopeful. Pray and give thanks to God for the opportunity to grow; ask Him to shed light, ask Him for clarity. ~Thomas Nelson

Blessing for Faithfulness

“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.” [1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NASB]

Recommendations

Faith Always Interlocks our heart To His heart Standing Firm in the Faith – Strength with Dignity

The Shield of Faith is used to extinguish the fiery darts of the enemy Shield of Faith – One of 6 Pieces of God’s Armor – Strength with Dignity

Scriptures

Psalms 33:4, 36:5, 37:3, 62:8, 89:1-2, 8, 91:4, 92:2, 100:5, 101:6, 119:30, 86, 90, 143:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Hebrews 11:1.

References

26 Spiritual Quotes on Faithfulness (Godly Living) retrieved September 9, 2021 from https://graciousquotes.com/faithfulness/

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC). Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by the Lockman Foundation.

Blackaby, Henry, Richard, Thomas, Melvin and Norman. Encounters with God – The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Galatians. Thomas Nelson, 2008. [Kindle Edition]

Luther, Martin. Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians. Written in 1535 in Latin. Translated by Theodore Graebner. This book is in the public domain. The Kindle edition was published March 24, 2011.

MacDonald, William. The Believer’s Bible Commentary. Thomas Nelson, 2016, pages 1920-1927.

Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible. [MH] Originally written in 1706. Kindle Edition published November 7, 2010.

New American Standard Bible. Copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Platt, David and Tony Merida. Christ-Centered Exposition – Exalting Jesus in Galatians. Published by B&H Publishing Group, 2014. [Kindle Edition]

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. Retrieved September 9, 2021, from http://webstersdictionary1828.com/

World English Bible (WEB) by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.

Bible Scriptures were retrieved September 9, 2021 from https://www.biblegateway.com #bgbg2 #BibleGateway #BibleStudy