What are some characteristics of someone who is faithful?
In response to this question, you may say, “oh, they are reliable, consistent, trustworthy, and they have proven character.”
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines it as “fit to be trusted or relied on.”
These are all sufficient ways of describing someone who is faithful.
A.W. Pink begins his chapter on God’s Faithfulness by contrasting man’s unfaithfulness to God’s faithfulness.
“Unfaithfulness is one of the most outstanding sins of these evil days. In the business world, a man’s word is, with exceedingly rare exceptions, no longer his bond. In the social world, marital infidelity abounds on every hand, the sacred bonds of wedlock being broken with as little regard as the discarding of an old garment. In the ecclesiastical realm, thousands who have solemnly covenanted to preach the truth make no scruple to attack and deny it. Nor can reader or writer claim complete immunity from this fearful sin: in how many ways have we been unfaithful to Christ, and to the light and privileges which God has entrusted to us! How refreshing, then, how unspeakably blessed, to lift our eyes above this scene of ruin, and behold One who is faithful, faithful in all things, faithful at all times.”
There are many benefits to studying God’s faithfulness. I’d like to point out a few from A.W. Pink’s Attributes of God.
God’s faithfulness is the basis of our confidence in Him. We can trust God because we know Him. There is a difference between just knowing and passively accepting this doctrine and acting upon it. Therefore, we need to ask, “How may we act upon it?” This brings us to the next point.
If we are to act upon the truth of God’s faithfulness then we must understand the necessity of waiting on God. Here’s one example of believers waiting on God: Abraham and Sarah. (Genesis 17). There is a correlation between our exercising faith and God’s faithfulness. We exercise faith only because God is faithful (Hebrews 11)
I believe it was William Cowper who wrote the following:
“Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace,
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
Ye fearful saints fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread,
Are rich with mercy, and shall break
In blessing o’er your head.”
God’s demonstrates His faithfulness in His promises and judgements. “The saying is trustworthy, for If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful.” (2 Timothy 2:11-13)
God is faithful to preserve those whom He has called to Himself. Romans 5:1-2; Romans 8:1; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 10:22-30; Philippians 1:6
God also displays His faithfulness to us by disciplining us. God disciplines us because He is in the process of making us holy. Romans 2:4; Hosea 5:15; Hebrews 12:5-17.
God is faithful in glorifying His people (2 Tim 1:12)
Here are some applications of the doctrine of the faithfulness of God:
–Understanding God’s Faithfulness preserves us from worry.
–Checks our complaining.
–Increases our confidence in God.
