Faithfulness

What is Faith?

The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Faith)

FAITH- Reliance upon and trust in God; a central emphasis of Christianity.

Derivatives of Faith

Faithfulness

Faithful

Trust

Promise

Honesty

Truthfulness

Confidence

Pledge

Belief

Faithfulness is defined as maintaining faith or allegiance, showing a strong sense of duty or conscientiousness

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Faith, Faithfulness)

Faith- a human response to God

Faithfulness- a virtue of God and his servants

Our Faithful God

The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Volumes 1–5 (Faithful, Faithfulness)

Faithfulness is one of the characteristics of God’s ethical nature. It denotes the firmness or constancy of God in His relations with men, especially with His people.

Lamentations 3:21–23 (NRSV)

21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

and therefore I have hope:

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,

his mercies never come to an end;

23 they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

Keeps His Covenant

Deuteronomy 7:9 NRSV

9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who maintains covenant loyalty with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,

Never Changes

Hebrews 13:8 NRSV

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Does No Wrong

Deuteronomy 32:4 NRSV

4 The Rock, his work is perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God, without deceit, just and upright is he;

He is Faithful & Trustworthy

Hebrews 10:23 NRSV

23 Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.

God Cannot Lie

Hebrews 6:18 NRSV

18 so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God would prove false, we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to seize the hope set before us.

Numbers 23:19 NRSV

19 God is not a human being, that he should lie, or a mortal, that he should change his mind. Has he promised, and will he not do it? Has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

Compassionate & Gracious

Exodus 34:6 NRSV

6 The Lord passed before him, and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,

The Lexham Bible Dictionary The Concept of “Faith” in the Old Testament

אֱמוּנָה

The Hebrew word Emuna is translated faithfulness, in the Old Testament.

It is a feminine noun meaning firmness, steadiness, fidelity, and trust. It is sometimes translated as truth as well.

The Lexham Bible Dictionary The Concept of “Faith” in the Old Testament

πίστις

The Greek word Pistos is translated faithful or faithfulness or believing other uses are sure and true

the word is used of both God’s followers being faithful to Him and He being faithful to them

Faithfulness is not what God does, it’s who God is!

He is forever faithful!

How Should We Respond to a Faithful God?

upon experiencing God’s faithfulness, we the people of God who love Him, are to respond in kind…with faithfulness

1. Sing of God’s Faithfulness

Psalm 103:2 NRSV

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits—

Psalm 89:1–2 NRSV

1 I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations. 2 I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.

2. Keep His Commandments

1 John 5:2–3 NRSV

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome,

3. Choose to Serve Him

Joshua 24:15 NRSV

15 Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

4. Be Responsible

Luke 16:10 NRSV

10 “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.

5. Be Thankful

Psalm 92:1–2 NRSV

1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; 2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night,

6. Share the Goodness of the Lord With Others

Psalm 40:10 NRSV

10 I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.

God is Faithful in Everything!

Biblical Examples

Paul 1 Corinthians 7:25

Abraham Nehemiah 9:8

Moses Hebrews 3:5

Praise Him for His Faithfulness

Share it with others

Reflection Questions

Can you think of any other Biblical Examples of Faithfulness?

Have you responded to God’s faithfulness?

What is your response?

Faith vs. Fear

WORKING DEFINITIONS

Faith – complete trust or confidence in someone or something, belief, trust and loyalty to God; firm belief in something for which there is no proof. Modifying adjectives: unwavering, steady, steadfast, resolute, strong, firm, unshakable

Living by Faith – Every day, we move through life with the quiet and complete confidence that God is Good. He does not withhold His goodness from us, but rather, He is working all things together for the good of them who love Him and who are called (chosen) according to His purpose.

Over – Above, on top of, upward, greater than, higher than, atop

Fear – An unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone/something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or is a real or imagined threat causing terror, fright or dread. As believers, we are obligated to fear (reverence, stand in awe of) God alone!!!

Proverbs 9:10 Psalms 111:10 Psalm 34:9

A Beautiful Short Story About Overcoming Fear

‘When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times’

Once there was a young warrior. Her teacher told her that she had to do battle with fear. She didn’t want to do that. It seemed too aggressive; it was scary; it seemed unfriendly. But the teacher said she had to do it and gave her the instructions for battle. The day arrived. The student warrior stood on one side, and fear stood on the other. The warrior was feeling very small, and fear was looking very big and wrathful. They both had their weapons. The young warrior roused herself and went toward fear, prostrated three times, and asked, “May I have permission to go into battle with you?” Fear said, “Thank you for showing me so much respect that you asked permission.” Then the young warrior said, “How can I defeat you?” Fear replied, “My weapons are that I talk fast, and I get very close to your face. Then you get completely unnerved, and you do whatever I say. If you don’t do what I tell you, I have NO power. You can listen to me, and you can have respect for me. You can even be convinced by me. But if you don’t do what I say, I have no power.” In that way, the student warrior learned how to defeat fear. - by Pema Chodron

Five Ways to Choose Faith Over Fear

Pray for Guidance (Psalm 25:5)

Trust in God’s Plans (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Have Faith in God’s Promises (2 Corinthians 1:20)

Lean on God’s Strength (Psalm 9:9)

Remember That God is in Control (Psalm 55:22)

Faith vs. Fear Acronyms

F.A.I.T.H

Full

Assurance

In

Trusting

Him

Fully

Anticipating

It

To

Happen

Forsaking

All

I

Trust

Him

F.E.A.R

False

Evidence

Appearing

Real

False

Expectation

About

Reality