"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." - Proverbs 3:5-6
What is the gift of Faithfulness? Faithfulness is something we don’t see too much in this world. For Christians, Jesus is the ultimate example.
His presence with His disciples, even during their doubts, fears and complaining, is an example of devotion.
Faithfulness is a gift because it stands against our sinful nature, which tells us to watch out for ourselves. Faithfulness shows loyalty, despite hardships. Faithfulness means planning on being inconvenienced and not taking the easy pathway. Faithfulness comes from love and is based on humility, being willing to put someone else's needs above your own.
No wonder faithfulness is a requirement in our wedding vows. Just as a husband is faithful to his wife, Jesus Christ is faithful to His bride, the church. It is the gift of his presence, provision, care and compassion. Faithfulness is what keeps us going when our flesh tells us to give up. In Christ Jesus, we have our perfect example of this great gift. He sticks with us.
How does faithfulness tie into Christmas? God showed faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and His people when He came as a baby, born to a virgin. He was faithful to fulfill His promises, to see the prophecies given by His servants come to pass and to provide the perfect atoning sacrifice for our sin.
He was faithful to see the justice of the Father met perfectly. He was faithful when He lived His perfect life, resisting sin and standing up to the scorn of sinful humanity. He was faithful when He raised the widow's son, healed blind Bartimaeus on the road to Jerusalem, and when He set the demoniac free. Finally, he was faithful to God's promise to Adam and Eve to send this Savior to their descendants. This gift came through Jesus, who would be born thousands of years later to a virgin named Mary. In this faithfulness, we are saved.
How do we let the gift of faithfulness come out of our lives? Because Jesus was faithful to us, we can now be faithful. We now have hope for tomorrow because He was devoted to the promises and prophecies made all those years before. And Romans 5 encourages us by saying this hope will not, and does not, disappoint us. Because we have this living example of faithfulness shown to us, we now know what it means to endure hardship with others and for their sake. Because of Jesus, we know what it means to be loyal, even if someone else isn't trustworthy. Because He was faithful for us, we are called to be faithful to others, even as we live in faithfulness to God above all.
Recommended Listening: "O Come (Let Us Adore)" by Jordan Smith
Unwrapping the Gift of Faithfulness
- Who has modeled Christian faithfulness in your life? What attributes of their character remind you most of Jesus?
- How do you appreciate God's loyalty in your life the most? How do you express your gratitude to Him?
- Who can help you remain faithful in areas where you struggle most?
