GOD REMAINS FAITHFUL - PART 2

THURSDAY 13 OCTOBER 2022

God is forever faithful. He is true and constant, and will always adhere well to His Word. He doesn't promise, and then fail to perform. He does not disappoint like humans. And He will never commence anything which He will not perfect and finish in accordance with His faithful nature. Zero wonder the Bible says, "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations" (Deuteronomy 7:9 ESV). Let's find out more!

Reference: Romans 3:3 Amplified Bible (AMP) "What then? If some did not believe or were unfaithful [to God], their lack of belief will not nullify and make invalid the faithfulness of God and His word, will it?"

The Scripture says, "God remains faithful", even if some people don't trust or believe in Him. Their lack of belief will not change God's character of being faithful. 2 Timothy 2:13 (ESV) says, "If we are faithless, God remains faithful - for He cannot deny himself", meaning that He cannot change His character or become anything else other than faithful. However we are strongly encouraged as born again Christians to be faithful in Christ.

Hebrews 10:23 (KJV) says, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)." The book of Hebrews' author is clearly showing us that the God who promised us is reliable, trustworthy and faithful to His Word. Therefore, we should hold fast to an unwavering confession of faith realities. However the best way to be faithful is to live in Christ fully. Let me put it this way: Because we live in Christ, the Christian life is not a matter of trying to behave like God in order to be faithful, but of allowing Him to live in and through us by yielding completely to the Spirit. That is the only way to show our faithfulness and steadfastness, otherwise we might give up too soon.

The faithfulness of a Christian is demonstrated in diverse ways. For instance, Jesus encourages us to always pray and not give up. Also 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV) reads, "Pray without ceasing." Now this requires faithfulness, meaning that it is a spiritual weakness to neglect prayer simply because we do not feel inclined to pray. To pray without ceasing is to be faithful in your fellowship and commitment to God. Don't ever encourage or entertain prayerlessness. Understand that the more we pray, the more we become prayerful and in the process, we grow stronger and stronger in faithfulness to God.

Sometimes trials will come to test your knowledge and understanding of God's Word in a practical manner, and the most important part of the test is considered as the trials you face without other people's knowledge. That's when your faithfulness is truly proven before God. This is the reason apostle Paul exhorts us in Philippians 2:12 (NIV) by saying, "Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling." That's a call to remain faithful, even in the absence of everyone, and keep acting and responding to God's Word without any variation or change.

With a convincing conclusion to this topic, just as God desires for all of us in Christ, apostle Paul made one clear statement about being faithful to the end: In 1st Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV), He says, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing." This is the outcome expected of us in the end as we continue to run the Christian race faithfully. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - 2 Corinthians 5:10; Colossians 3:23-24; Galatians 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:24.

Guided Prayer:

Dear Father in heaven, You are a faithful God that rewards faithfulness; therefore, I daily devote every member of my body in faithful service to you. My tongue is consecrated to sing your praise and to declare your truth. I employ the acts of kindness, goodness and benevolence as tools useful in executing my labour of love for you and your righteous cause. My feet will remain swift in your service and in evangelism in order to bring souls to your Kingdom of light in Jesus' Name, Amen!