How Does One Remain Faithful

Introduction

I’m not sure where the phrase started. I’m not sure that it is necessary to know its origination. But it has been of interest to me how we try to pigeonhole Christians. We say of someone, “She is a good Christian woman.” Have you ever thought what that statement really says? Is there such a thing as a bad Christian woman? Aren’t Christians supposed to be good? Maybe it is just me but to use good to describe a Christians seems redundant. I suppose we say “good Christian” as a way of emphasizing one’s commitment in word and deed to the Lord. There is another phrase that we use which perplexes me as well. It is the term “faithful Christian.” This phrase is most often used “He is a faithful Christian.” Generally speaking that phrase is used like the previous one to highlight one’s commitment to the Lord. Many times it refers though to the externals of a person’s life.

We are using the phrase “faithful Christian” to distinguish such a person from those who are “unfaithful.” How would we know that one is faithful as opposed to one who is unfaithful. I think most of the time this is done by looking at church attendance, involvement in programs, and general willingness to step up and participate. The problem with this definition of faithful is that the emphasis is on externals rather than on the heart which is the source for the externals. There is validity in one participating in Christian practices. But the event of Ananais and Sapphira in Acts 5 is enough to convince us that one can appear to be doing the right things when their heart is filled with ungodly attitudes.

There are practices which Christians do. There is little need to persuade about these practices for Christians want to do these things.

Bible reading. Christians understand the importance and necessity of reading our Bibles. We do not have to be persuaded that God’s word is vital to our lives. Perhaps some persuasion is used to study the Bible beyond the words. But this practice is not debated.

Assembly. Christians understand the importance and necessity of meeting with other Christians to express our praise, thanksgiving, and encouragement. The debate about assemblies is typically in procedure rather than its necessity. The one who asks is it necessary to “go to church” probably says more about that person’s heart than anything else. We may debate over the form of the assembly or how many times do Christians need to assemble on a given day, but rarely is the debate about the importance of meeting together.

Good works. Christians do good things. God uses our good deeds to demonstrate his nature to a world that does not understand him. Good works demonstrate our love for God. Few would debate the importance of good works.

Prayer. Again is there really any debate or persuasion necessary concerning the subject of prayer. Christians pray. Others pray as well, but Christians pray as a matter of who they are not according to circumstances.

These externals are important. They verify that we want to honor God. But the truth is that do not prove our faithfulness. To debate any of these says that we have a heart problem. Can you imagine a Christian debating about praying or reading the Bible or treating people with love and compassion? It is absurd. But these are not the signs of faithfulness. Faithfulness is a matter of the heart not just externals. Today we are going to look at what it means to be faithful. Our purpose today is to revel in the grace of God even as we set our hearts on loving him more and more.

Freedom and Faithfulness

In the text, there are a couple of principles which really answers the fundamental question about our faithfulness. In verse 13, Paul says that God has called us to freedom. In the context of Galatians, Paul argues against legalism. Legalism is the false belief that by keeping rules one can earn or demonstrate their love for God. It is the idea that what is important is keeping all the rules so that God sees our goodness and will reward us for our goodness in the last day. Throughout this letter, Paul takes legalism to task. He demonstrates that holding to the idea that one can earn salvation makes the cross of no effect. So in chapter 5, he calls for his readers to practice their freedom. What matters he says is that faith expresses itself through love (5:6).

So in verse 13, the point is clear—live as free people. Live not with an eye on rules, but live with an eye on the freedom God has given. But, he says, don’t use your freedom to sin. Don’t forget he says that the law is summed up that we are to “love our neighbors as yourself.” Do what you want to do; live the way you want to live, but demonstrate faith in love. That is the key. Freedom is not license; freedom comes from the Spirit of God. One who has become a Christian has been given the Spirit as God’s gift. So, verse 16, we live by the Spirit. That is, we allow the Spirit to lead us in this life. The Spirit, whose character is that of holiness, will lead us to honor God with our freedom. He will not lead us toward sin. The battle between good and evil is always present, but God has empowered us with his Spirit so that we can win the conflict between good and evil.

Paul then in verses 19-21 gives a list of obvious sins which indulge our flesh rather than follow the Spirit’s lead. Against this list he counters with a list of the fruit of the Spirit in verses 22-23. These nine traits come because of the Spirit’s presence. When we work with the Spirit allowing the Spirit to lead us these nine things will find root in our lives. We do not develop these things on our own but only with the Spirit’s power and leading.

Let’s look briefly at the first two to see how these traits are seen. Love—even unbelievers love. What is the difference between the love expressed by a believer and love expressed by an unbeliever? Ultimately an unbelievers love returns to selfish motives. The love of a believer comes from motives to honor the Father. Only the Spirit can produce this kind of love. The Spirit leads us to love those that others will not love. He creates in us a desire to express our freedom in love; we love those who are different than us; we love with the intent of not getting something in return; we love when others will not love.

Joy—even unbelievers have times of joy. What is the difference between the joy expressed by a believer and joy expressed by an unbeliever? For the unbeliever joy is based on circumstances. When things are hard there is no joy. For the believer, joy is not based on circumstances. Do not equate joy with happiness. Joy is closely linked to peace. We might say that joy is the beginning and peace is the end. No matter the circumstances; no matter how much your emotions are in turmoil; the believer has joy. Joy is hope expressed. Joy is knowing that this life may be the not be what we want but the one to come will be worth it all. This trait of joy is produced by the Spirit as we seek for him to lead our lives.

Application

So what does this have to do with faithfulness? Faithfulness is about the heart. Faithfulness is about allowing the Spirit to lead us. Faithfulness is not about how well we do, but how we set our heart on God and practice our freedom in light of love. Or as Paul says in 5:6, expressing our faith in love. Faithfulness has to do with choice not duty. You see everyone struggles. So to help us out we gave ourselves over to measurable actions as proof of faithfulness. So church attendance, Bible reading, and prayer life became measures of faithfulness. But one can do these things out of a sense of duty not love.

We all struggle with selfishness, stubbornness, and sin. We all struggle with attitudes and actions. But faithfulness is seen when duty becomes desire. When we allow the Spirit to lead us, then we follow out of a desire to love rather than out of a desire to do our duty. How does one remain faithful? It really has to do with the heart. Faithfulness is choosing to honor God. Faithfulness is found when our hearts are set on knowing Him who loves us more than we can possibly know. When God is seen only as law giver then faithfulness gives way to duty. But when we see God as Savior, Redeemer, Friend then duty gives way to desire and with desire we long to be near to God and we long to honor him. No law can bring that kind of desire; only a God who loves us so much that he gave himself for us.

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