Being Faithful

There is a difference between having faith and being faithful. When our faith is in God and Who He is, we are challenged to become like Jesus, the representation of God, Who is Spirit and totally complete. This demands faithfulness on our part.

Because we are mortal and live in this realm, faithfulness is a challenge. We learn faithfulness as small children when we are given a chore as our responsibility. We receive praise when we are faithful in carrying out that responsibility without being constantly reminded. When we joyfully accept that responsibility as our part in the family, even when we have something we would rather do or feel pressured to do something else, we learn faithfulness. We carry that characteristic into our adult lives for it becomes a part of us. When we bring that into our relationship with God, it becomes a significant covenant response, for it echoes God's faithfulness.

James 4:17 (NASB) Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. Adultery, fornication, lying or fudging on the truth, speeding, gluttony, laziness, the list of failures on our part goes on and on, but it is simply, failing to do what we know is right. As those who are following Jesus with the goal of becoming like Him, we must practice faithfulness. I Corinthians 4:2 (KJV) Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. The challenge to us is not to "do by rote", but to be faithful to the Holy Spirit to allow ourselves to be led in doing the Will of God. The faithfulness we seek is to be like our Lord, Who was faithful in all He did.