Devotionals for the Heart: Faithfulness

Faithfulness As A Fruit of the Spirit
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture: Galatians 5:22 (NASB) and Revelation 1:20 (NASB)

We talk about faithfulness in many ways. Marriage vows speak of being faithful all the days we live. Someone can be known as a faithful friend, while another is a faithful worker. What ties all of them together, though?

The fruit of the Spirit known as faithfulness isn’t something we can produce in ourselves, at least not for any long period of time. Have you noticed a pattern in all of the fruits? None of them are naturally occurring in us! If it doesn’t come from Christ, first, it can have no good lasting effect, because it is all through our flesh.

Faithfulness is the seventh of the fruits Christ gives us by the Spirit. I don’t believe the number for this word is a mistake. Seven is used in many ways throughout the Bible to mean perfection. In seven days, the Lord created the earth. Seven lampstands are in the throne room of Heaven representing the seven churches, as we’re told in Revelation. While those churches were not faithful to Him, He remained faithful to them. Reminds me of Hosea and Gomer! What an amazing example of how God loves His bride!

But, what does faithfulness entail? When it comes to our relationship to God, it’s easy to make it all about works. We pat ourselves on the back when we’ve read our Bible every day, done the homework for a study, and said a prayer. Check those boxes, and now we can move on with the rest of our life. Doing for God does not necessarily mean that we’re being faithful. We can do a lot of things for Him, but if He has asked something of us we are not willing to do, then we’re unfaithful. Is spending time in the Word every day a bad thing? Absolutely not! However, it is empty if we only do it out of duty, rather than relationship.

Who of us would want a friend or spouse to stay with us only because it’s expected? We want the people in our lives to want to be with us. We need to know they love us for who we are, and not just out of necessity. God is the same way. He wants us to want to spend time with Him. He wants us to want to do as He asks in our lives. That can mean going to some uncomfortable places: Forgiveness for wrongs done to us, accepting treatment we don’t feel we deserve (never abuse!), letting someone else be honored above ourselves, or saying no to something we have dreamt of our whole lives. If the Lord calls us to any of these things, we have a choice. Will we say yes to Him, being faithful to the One Who laid down His life for us? Or will we turn our back on that sacrifice, and tell Him it wasn’t enough?

I once had the realization that I am committing spiritual adultery every time I disobey what Christ has asked me to do. That was a dagger to my heart as a marriage ministry team member! How could I do that to my Groom? Yet, every sin I allow in my life is just that. It is spiritual adultery against my perfect Groom. Every time I go against what I know to be right in the eyes of God, I am being unfaithful to Him.

He, however, takes me back. Over and over and over and over again, He accepts me in my weakness. Not only that, but He then gives me the Fruit of the Spirit to move closer to being made like Him. He reminds me that I am His blemish-free bride, chosen for the Son of God before the foundation of the earth to be His. My sins are gone. They were paid in full on the cross, long before I even knew I needed them. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Daddy, You have made me worthy to be called Your bride, even when I don’t feel like it. Remind my heart of Your truth, Your love, Your faithfulness. Let that guide my days. In Jesus Christ’s Name I pray, Amen.

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Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of eight with the heart to impart stories and God's truth. 

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

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