The seventh quality of the fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness, from the Greek pistis, meaning "firm persuasion, conviction, belief in the truth, veracity, reality or faithfulness."
Beth says it can be described in a nutshell as "believing the reality of a sovereign God."
Is God believable to you in the day-to-day circumstances? Do you believe that what He says is true? Do you believe that He is Who He says He is?
It follows that the degree of our faithfulness to Him must be in proportion to our belief in His faithfulness. That makes sense, doesn't it? Just think about your human relationships and the degree of trust you put in people. Is it not in response to your judgement of their honesty, their character?
God's faithfulness is based on:
-He is certain...for He is dependable.
-He is true...He is trustworthy.
-He is enduring...He persists.
What is faith?
Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
Hebrews 11 lists the faithful honoured by God for believing what they could not see; they include Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham...etc.) It takes faith to walk with God. Why? We cannot see Him. Hebrews 11:6 says:
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
On what do you base your faith? On what God does? Or on Who He is?
If you base it on what He does, you are in for a roller coaster ride. Beth describes it like this: "I believe God as long as He does what I ask." This faith is fuelled by sight. So what happens when he does not perform what you think he should? You forget that He said in Isaiah 55:8-9: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,"declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
IS this faith? No, because this depends on results and says, "If God is not obvious, He is obviously not God."
However, if you base your faith on Who God is, you can walk steadfast because you are with God for Him, for His Presence. While you are focusing on Him, you free Him to show you what He can do. Matthew 6:33 says, But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Beth goes on to show that kind of faith in action in Paul's life in Acts 27:1-28:10, the shipwreck account. The principles of faith garnered here are:
1. Feelings or perceptions cannot be the basis of faith even in the most Spirit-filled life.
We can feel 'disappointed' in God when we treat our fellings as fact.
2. Faith comes from listening!
If you know God has already applied His Word to your specific situation, then believe! If you are not sure, keep seeking till you are.
3. God's deliverance came through the ship running aground!
Deliverance does not equal lack of difficulty. Heavy storms may indicate the wrong course. Perhaps that is the only way to your destination.
4. God always has a destination in mind when He delivers.
When you follow His path because you believe in Him, He will lead you to a place of kindness, warmth and welcome.
The final point in my homework was that faith requires a fight. 2Timothy 4:7 says "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith..."
Ephesians 6 talks about our spiritual armour and it is the shield that represents faith. Its purpose is to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. In other words, the degree of our vulnerability to Satan is proportional to the degree our 'shield of faith' is up.
Satan is actively trying to lower our shields by parading before us his 'evidence' that opposes God's assurances to us. Don't forget, Satan is a brilliant mind who studies our weaknesses and strikes when we are vulnerable. Beth describes his job description as "to keep us from believing God, first for salvation, and then for completion."
His two major weapons used are fear and casual familiarity. He provokes doubt and fear constantly.
What we need to remember is that God is faithful, even when we are not. He said it, I believe it!
God can, whether or not He does!
1 comment:
God indeed is faithful! He has taught me so much this year. But probably the most important lesson I am learning is not to trust my feelings as the truth behind any situation. Feelings lie and many times its hard to see around them.
God is so merciful and He is faithful even when I am not. I am so thankful for that. Thank you for reminding us of Satan's role in our lives. It is good to be reminded of our enemy.
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