“The Fruits of the Spirit” Faithfulness

But the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Galatians 5:22

Dictionary:

Faithful.  Keeping faith, loyal, reliable, dependable, steadfast, resolute, committed, dedicated.

“A faithful person is hard to find.”  Prov. 20:6

A counselor conducted a survey in which he asked what quality in people they dislike the most; what trait in other people do they find most disturbing.  The #1 answer: unfaithfulness.  People described that in many different ways.  “I hate it when people say one thing but do something else.”  “It drives me crazy when people promise to come through and they fall through.”  “I can’t stand it when people say ‘count on me’ and then when you do they seem to say ‘count me out!’””It really bothers me how people don’t work out their problems and disagreements.”  

It’s true even of the most important relationships!  About half of all marriages end in divorce; if you counted all those “de facto” marriages of people living together but never bothered to technically get married, then the “unfaithfulness” is around 80%.  Even where faithfulness is treasured the most, it's not very treasured.

A couple of generations ago, a man might stay with the same company for 25 years – perhaps for his entire working life.  A professional athlete was often committed to a team or a community for his entire professional career.  Such is not only rare today; it’s often seen as foolish.  One author stated that the biggest single change in our society in the past 100 years is the “collapse of faithfulness.”   Ted Schmidt worked as the head of personnel at a JC Penny store in Indiana for nearly 40 years.  He notes that the biggest change in employees during that time was “a rapid decline in any commitment to the company, store, or the other associates.”  He stated, “people today will quit at the drop of a hat – for any reason, or no reason at all.”  

1.

Do you think there’s been a “collapse of faithfulness?”  How so?  What evidence would you share?

2.

Do you think that’s true even for Christians?  Is it true in the church?

3.

Think of one person that, to you, models faithfulness.  It could be a family member, teacher, friend.  Share their story with the group.

Bill Hybels offers the following definitions of faithfulness:

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Faithfulness means you stick with something long after the shine wears off.

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Faithfulness means you keep your word even if it ends up costing you a lot more than you ever anticipated it would.

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Faithfulness means your commitment counts for more than your pride, opinions or feelings.

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Faithfulness means you work through relational problems rather than tossing people out like yesterday’s garbage.

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Faithfulness means you refuse to jump ship even if the waves are crashing everywhere.

4.

How do YOU define “faithfulness?”

Like all the “fruits of the Spirit,” faithfulness comes from God

God is faithful… 1 Cor. 1:9, 1 Cor. 10:13 and others

He who calls you is faithful and He will do it.  1 Thess. 5:24

Thy faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.  Psalm 89:2

The steadfast faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.  Psalm 117:2

Thy faithfulness endures to all generations.  Psalm 119:90

Great is Thy faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:23

5.

What examples from the Bible or the life of Jesus would you use of His faithfulness?

6.  What examples would you use from your own life?

And it is to be reflected by us!  

His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful over little, I will set you over much!  Enter into the joy of your master!” Matthew 25:21

Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.  Revelation 2:10

7.

Revelation 2:10 is an often quoted verse.  It contains a great comfort but it has a hook in it!  What is that?  What does that mean?

8.

 Revelation 2:10 is often used at Confirmation and when people join the church.  Do you think people “hear” it?  How is it similar to the vow made at marriage?  

9.

Those who join the military make a similar vow.  What’s the motto of the US Marine Corps?

10.

In your life, in what areas is faithfulness easiest?  Hardest?  What can you do to grow in faithfulness in those tough areas?

11.

 How can we encourage faithfulness in others?  Our children, friends, fellow workers, members of our church family?