40 Days Pondering the Fruit of the Spirit
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days PONDERING the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
Day 8 | FAITHFULNESS
40 Days PONDERING the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
Day 8 | FAITHFULNESS
FAITHFULNESS
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, FAITHFULNESS, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Do you have a close friend? (Or perhaps your spouse?)
How did you two become close? I’ll bet it started with the two of you sharing some things in common, maybe at work, school or church, or somewhere. And as you began to talk, you found that you just “got along” great! I’m guessing that you and the other person found yourself “faithful” to each other. Most likely, you could confide in each other, keep each other’s secrets, and be true to your word.
The fruit of FAITHFULNESS is like that, being faithful to others. Loyalty and trustworthiness are two significant characteristics of the fruit of faithfulness.
How many times in your life has someone shared a confidence with you and then added: “Please don’t tell anyone.” Did you? Did you follow that admonition – or – were you just bursting inside wanting to share this juicy tidbit with another friend, and then – not meaning to – you just let it out?
The old WW2 saying: “Loose lips sink ships,” can also be said about some friendships. Loose lips can demote one from “close friend” status to something much further down the “friendship ladder.”
A FAITHFUL FRIEND, if asked not to share, doesn’t. If he is asked to help and says “yes,” – he shows up and helps.
But that is part of what the gift of friendship does for a person… makes them faithful and true and loyal and trustworthy.
May we all be like that as we live our lives.
Prayer: LORD, point out to me where I’ve missed it with this fruit of the Spirit and help me to repent and rest on Your Spirit to help me be a faithful person. Amen.
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, FAITHFULNESS, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Do you have a close friend? (Or perhaps your spouse?)
How did you two become close? I’ll bet it started with the two of you sharing some things in common, maybe at work, school or church, or somewhere. And as you began to talk, you found that you just “got along” great! I’m guessing that you and the other person found yourself “faithful” to each other. Most likely, you could confide in each other, keep each other’s secrets, and be true to your word.
The fruit of FAITHFULNESS is like that, being faithful to others. Loyalty and trustworthiness are two significant characteristics of the fruit of faithfulness.
How many times in your life has someone shared a confidence with you and then added: “Please don’t tell anyone.” Did you? Did you follow that admonition – or – were you just bursting inside wanting to share this juicy tidbit with another friend, and then – not meaning to – you just let it out?
The old WW2 saying: “Loose lips sink ships,” can also be said about some friendships. Loose lips can demote one from “close friend” status to something much further down the “friendship ladder.”
A FAITHFUL FRIEND, if asked not to share, doesn’t. If he is asked to help and says “yes,” – he shows up and helps.
But that is part of what the gift of friendship does for a person… makes them faithful and true and loyal and trustworthy.
May we all be like that as we live our lives.
Prayer: LORD, point out to me where I’ve missed it with this fruit of the Spirit and help me to repent and rest on Your Spirit to help me be a faithful person. Amen.