What Does The Bible Say About Faithfulness?
Faithfulness has always been an important concept in the Bible, with strong links to the character traits of being true, committed and loyal. Faithfulness is thus a vital quality for living a life that is fully devoted to God and His teachings. Throughout the Bible, faithfulness is praised and celebrated in a variety of ways.
One of the most prominent examples of faithfulness in the Bible can be found in the book of Deuteronomy. In Deuteronomy 4:9, we are instructed to be “faithful to the Lord your God”. This verse not only confirms the importance of faithfulness, it also serves to remind us that the Lord has entrusted us with an obligation to remain faithful and true to Him in all areas – spiritually, mentally and physically. Similarly, in Proverbs 7:1-2, it states that: “My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and live, my teaching as the apple of your eye”. This encourages us to take the Lord’s teachings seriously, in order to live a life of faithfulness.
In the New Testament, faithfulness is also noted as being a quality that brings reward. We can read in James 1:12, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him”. These words serves to remind us that faithfulness can lead to rewards, so long as it is accompanied by a sincere love for God.
Throughout the Bible, faithfulness is also strongly linked with the idea of obedience. In Matthew 26:39, we are told to obey the Lord, “not out of fear or compulsion, but out of love and faithfulness”. Obedience to God and His commands is one of the most important ways that we can show our faithfulness. John 14:21 affirms this point, as it states that “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” So, faithfulness requires us to not only be obedient, but to love God with all our hearts.
The Bible also tells us that faithfulness is essential for forming relationships with and joining the company of the righteous. Proverbs 12:26 states that: “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray”. By following the path of faithfulness, we can strive to join the company of the righteous and strengthen our relationship with God. We can find further evidence of this in Proverbs 28:20, which urges us to stay faithful and remain true to God, “if we wish to be believed”.
Finally, faithfulness is also connected to a need for humility. Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us of the importance of this by stating that: “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”. Similarly, after enduring trials and testing, Job’s faithfulness was rewarded when we are told that he still prayed for his friends in the book of Job 42:10. This shows us that for our faithfulness to be rewarded, it must be coupled with humility and a willingness to love others.
Key Bible Verses on Faithfulness
Despite the many definitions of faithfulness found in the Bible, there are also some core verses which represent the feature as a whole. These include: Deuteronomy 4:9: “Be faithful to the Lord your God and keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances and His commandments always”; Proverbs 2:7, “He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who live in integrity”; and Proverbs 28:20, “A faithful man will be richly blessed but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished”.
What Faithfulness Is Not
Although faithfulness can encompass many characteristics, there are certain qualities which are not associated with it. These include: selfishness, idolatry, neglect and deception. The Bible is strongly opposed to these qualities and it is important to remember that loyalty and dedication towards God should always be the primary goal of faithfulness.
The Benefits of Faithfulness
The benefits of faithfulness to God are many and varied. For example, in the book of Matthew, Jesus talks about those who stay true to him, using the words: “Hearken therefore to me, and eat ye that which is good and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me. Hear and your soul shall live.” (Matthew 11:6-7). This shows that by being faithful to God, we can find joy, delight, and nourishment for our souls.
Furthermore, the book of Psalm promotes the benefits of faithfulness. In Psalm 19:7-11, we are told that the Lord’s laws are perfect, His Word is pure, that His rules bring wisdom, and that goodness and peace will follow those who live according to His will. Faithfulness to God thus creates an atmosphere of wholeness and harmony in our lives, which stands in contrast to the chaos of a life without God.
Ultimately, faithfulness to God is not only a source of guidance, but a path to joy, perseverance and love. When coupled with obedience and humility, it brings us closer to the Lord and leads us on a life-long journey of self-discovery, peace and happiness.
Testing Faithfulness
At times, the path of faithfulness can be a difficult one. The Bible talks about the importance of being tested in order to demonstrate faithfulness, in the book of James 1:12, which states “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him”. The Lord often instructs us to endure hardships and testing in order to show our true faithfulness and loyalty to Him.
The story of Job is a prime example of this; Job endured great hardship and suffering yet still remained true to God. His faithfulness was eventually rewarded when God blessed him with immense wealth, making the struggle worthwhile. This serves as a reminder that faithfulness is being tested by the hardships of life, and by remaining faithful we will ultimately receive a reward.
Likewise, the book of 2nd Timothy talks about the importance of having faith in God, even in times of uncertainty. It affirms that if we have faith in Him, He will intervene in our lives and provide us with the strength and courage to persevere. This encourages us to never lose sight of our faithfulness even in moments of distress or difficulty.
Developing Faithfulness
In order to develop faithfulness, we must first understand what it means to be faithful. As outlined above, faithfulness is being loyal, obedient, and devoted to God and His teachings. Additionally, it requires an act of self-control in order to break away from anything opposed to God’s will. This can include anything from bad habits to unhealthy relationships, and requires a mindful effort to stay away from them.
Moreover, it is important to stay away from negative influences that are not aligned with God’s will. When negative influences are present, our faithfulness is often compromised and our loyalty to the Lord weakened. Instead, we should aim to surround ourselves with positive influences that support and nurture our faithfulness. This could range from reading the Bible, attending church or engaging in prayer and meditation.
Finally, in order to live a life of faithfulness, self-discipline and dedication must also be used. This includes reading and understanding the Word of God, engaging in prayer and attending church regularly. Prayer is vital for strengthening faithfulness, as it helps us to stay connected to God and re-centre our focus on His teachings. Additionally, attending church services is a great way to stay connected with both God and other believers.
