Faithfulness

FAITHFULNESS

Opening scripture: 1 Cor. 4:1-2

“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

[To be found faithful is our part in the Covenant relationship we have with God through Jesus Christ.

In Genesis 15:8-13, Abraham slept while the Lord walked the path between the pieces of the animal sacrifice. He cut covenant in place of Abraham. It was God’s decision to take the place of Abraham because He knew Abraham, or any man, could not keep the terms of the Covenant. But God could.

It’s the same way in the new Covenant of Grace. Jesus took our place. He kept the terms of the Covenant and died in our place. Now it’s God’s responsibility to be faithful to the Covenant promises. What is our responsibility?

In the New Covenant, we are stewards of God’s Word and the mysteries of God. A steward was someone who managed the household of a master, someone who delegates the chores to be done. In this case it means Born-Again Believers who are stewards of God’s grace, responsible for giving it out to people. As in 1 Pet. 4:10, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

It says we are the stewards of the “mysteries of God”. There are a lot of mysteries in the Kingdom of God. For us Gentiles to share in the blessings of Abraham is a mystery. The Rapture is a mystery, etc.. The most important mystery is salvation. The simplicity of the salvation message is a mystery to the lost. God expects us to be faithful in the responsibility of sharing that Gospel message. If we are faithful, fruit will follow.]

FRUIT IS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Gal. 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith (Faithfulness), 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (There is no law saying you can’t demonstrate these Fruits of the Spirit)

Mark 11:22: “Have faith IN God”(KJV) Literal translation: “Have the faith OF God”

Too overwhelming? Another word for “faith” is “fidelity”, or faithfulness. Have faithfulness of God. Romans 12:3 tells us we are given THE measure of faith. Let’s use it and be faithful to His Word by taking it at face value and believing it.

UNDERSTANDING “FAITHFULNESS” – True faithfulness, or God’s kind of faithfulness, can only be understood by understanding a Blood Covenant relationship. When two people cut covenant they promise loyalty to each other. When one fights a battle the other one will be there to help him fight it. When one needs help paying a bill the other offers his checkbook, etc. Couples who have been married for a number of years practice Covenant relationship every day.

LOVINGKINDNESS / STEADFAST LOVE:

Faithfulness to the terms of a covenant has another name in the Bible. It’s “lovingkindness”. Another word for lovingkindness is “steadfast love”. In the KJV sometimes it’s translated as “mercy”. Try going through your Bible, especially the O.T. and substitute “steadfast love” for “mercy.

God’s Steadfast love is a love based on the fact that we are bound in a Blood Covenant relationship. It’s not based on emotions, not based on looks, not based on flowery words or the kind of shampoo you use. It’s not based on the fact that you have paid your dues and deserve it. It’s a love based on the fact that you are united in a Blood Covenant relationship with God thru His Son, Jesus Christ.

This word Lovingkindness means you’re stuck with each other for the rest of your lives. You are bound to each other. Lovingkindness means that after the rest of the world has totally abandoned you, your covenant partner will never walk out on you. Your covenant partner will be there with joy & gladness when times are good and He’ll be there to cheer and strengthn you when times are bad.

Your partner will never leave or forsake you. Does that sound familiar?

The last part of Hebrews 5:13 says, “I’ll never leave nor forsake you.” Amplified Version: “for He, God Himself, has said, I will not in anyway fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake you nor let you down nor relax My hold on you. Assuredly not!”

David understood Covenant relationship. 1 Sam. 17:26 “And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Phil-istine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” The key word to understanding the courage of David is the word “uncircumcised”. David knew the battle was not his but God’s. He even quotes Duet. to Goliath by telling him the battle is the Lord’s.