Faithfulness, to God

Faithfulness is the proper response to God by his covenant people

God’s covenant with his people requires faithfulness

1 Kings 2:3–4 NKJV

And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; that the Lord may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,’ He said, ‘you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’

See also Dt 10:12–13; Is 1:26; Ex 19:5; Dt 5:32–33; Dt 29:9

Faithfulness to God seen as marital fidelity

Hosea 2:20 NKJV

I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, And you shall know the Lord.

See also Is 54:5; Eze 16:8; Je 2:2; Eph 1:1; Eph 5:22–25

Faithfulness to God reflects God’s faithfulness

Deuteronomy 7:9 NKJV

“Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;

See also Heb 10:23; 1 Pe 4:19; Heb 4:14–16; 1 Sa 2:35; 1 Co 10:12–13

Faithfulness is seen as steadfast commitment to God

In unwavering devotion

Micah 4:5 NKJV

For all people walk each in the name of his god, But we will walk in the name of the Lord our God Forever and ever.

See also Jos 24:14–15; Re 2:10; Lk 9:62

In obedience

Dt 11:13; Eze 18:9

In service

1 Sa 12:24; 2 Ch 19:9; 2 Ch 34:10–12; Eze 44:15; Eze 48:11; 1 Ti 1:12

In giving

2 Ch 31:12 Faithfulness to God is expressed in giving to him for the benefit of others; 2 Co 8:1–5

In prayer

Ro 12:12; 1 Th 5:17

In patient endurance

2 Ti 2:11–13; Heb 10:36; Re 13:10; Re 14:12

In fulfilling vows

Nu 30:2; Dt 23:21–23; Ps 22:25; Ps 61:8; Ec 5:4; Jon 2:9

Faithfulness is especially important in leaders

1 Co 4:1–2; 3 Jn 3

See also 2 Ti 1:13–14; 1 Ti 6:20; 2 Ti 2:15; Ex 18:21; 1 Ti 4:13–16; 2 Ti 2:2; 2 Ti 4:1–2

Encouragements to faithfulness

The call to faithfulness

1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

See also Is 26:4; Ga 5:1; Pr 3:5–6; Jn 14:1; Eph 6:13; 1 Co 16:13

God watches over the faithful

Psalm 97:10 NKJV

You who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

See also Ps 37:28; Ps 86:2; Ps 31:23; Pr 2:8

God rewards faithfulness

1 Sa 26:23; Mt 25:21

See also Re 17:14; 2 Ti 4:6–8; Re 20:4; Pr 28:20; Mt 24:45–47; Ps 101:6

Lack of faithfulness

Hosea 4:1 NKJV

Hear the word of the Lord, You children of Israel, For the Lord brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: “There is no truth or mercy Or knowledge of God in the land.

See also Ps 78:8; Ps 78:37; Ho 9:1; Ho 1:2; Ho 5:7; Ps 12:1