What Does It Really Mean to be Faithful?

What Does It Really Mean to be Faithful?

Is a person “faithful” merely because they have been immersed, have a pulse and show up at services with some frequency? Or is “faithfulness” an expression that can only be used of those who seem so good that they must be practically sinless? The question certainly is an important one since Scripture says, “Be faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). Yet way too much confusion seems to exist concerning this question. The word of God greatly helps us see the matter more clearly, and one of the passages that help is Psalm 119:105-112. 

Faithful Feet. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). We lose our bearings when we stray from the precious word of God; therefore, we look to it as a light to guide and direct us along life’s path. Where are your feet taking you? What’s your direction in life? It’s really worth asking: “Do I love to walk in the path of light, or do I find myself enjoying darkness?” “If we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Faithfulness is shown in our feet! 

Faithful Words. “I have sworn and I will confirm it” (vs. 106), and “accept the freewill offerings of my mouth” (vs. 108). Faithful living exhibits itself in faithful speech. While our tongues have to be one of the most difficult things to control (cf. James 3:1-12), faithful and mature Christians have made it a priority in life to make sure their speech honors our Lord. “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification, so that it will give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29). The daily plea of faithful Christians is, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). Faithfulness is seen in our words! 

Faithful Hands. “My life is continually in my hand, yet I do not forget Your law” (vs. 109). We all make choices each day as to what we will do with our hands (cf. Ecclesiastes 9:10). We “put our hands” to certain tasks, activities and jobs. How our “hands” need to show that we have placed ourselves in the Lord’s hands! We need to humble ourselves as clay in the Potter’s hands (cf. Jeremiah 18:6) so that we will have “a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1). Faithfulness is seen in our hands! 

Faithful Memories. “I do not forget Your law” (vs. 109), and “I have inherited Your testimonies forever, for they are the joy of my heart” (vs. 111). As we grow older, our memories may fade and our ability to recall might diminish, but faithful Christians do NOT forget God’s will and that it is the joy of their heart. The years may erase some information, but they do not erase the transformation that’s taken place in us due to God’s word as we’ve loved, learned and lived it. Faithfulness is seen in our memories! 

Faithful Hearts. God’s word was “the joy” of the Psalmist’s “heart” (vs. 111) and he “inclined his heart to perform” the Lord’s statutes (vs. 112). Our hearts should be “pure” (Matthew 5:8), “tender” (Ephesians 4:32) and “cleansed” (Acts 15:9). We should not “lose heart” (Galatians 6:9). “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Faithfulness is seen in our hearts? Are YOU Faithful? 

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