Faithfulness, to God

Faithfulness is the proper response to God by his covenant people

I. God’s covenant with his people requires faithfulness

1 Kings 2:3–4 KJV 1900

And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: That the Lord may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.

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

II. Faithfulness to God seen as marital fidelity

Hosea 2:20 KJV 1900

I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: And thou shalt know the Lord.

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

III. Faithfulness to God reflects God’s faithfulness

Deuteronomy 7:9 KJV 1900

Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

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

IV.Faithfulness is seen as steadfast commitment to God

In unwavering devotion

Micah 4:5 KJV 1900

For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, And we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.

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

A. In obedience

1. Dt 11:13; Eze 18:9

B. In service

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

C. In giving

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

D. In prayer

1. Ro 12:12; 1 Th 5:17

E. In patient endurance

1. 2 Ti 2:11–13; Heb 10:36; Re 13:10; Re 14:12

F. In fulfilling vows

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

V. Faithfulness is especially important in leaders

1 Co 4:1–2; 3 Jn 3

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

VI. Encouragements to faithfulness

A. The call to faithfulness

1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV 1900

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

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

B. God watches over the faithful

Psalm 97:10 KJV 1900

Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: He preserveth the souls of his saints; He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

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

C. God rewards faithfulness 1 Sa 26:23; Mt 25:21

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

VII. Lack of faithfulness

Hosea 4:1 KJV 1900

Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: For the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, Because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.

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