The Virtue of Faithfulness

Being faithful seems to be lost in the conscience of many people. Being faithful is a virtue that all of us should have, especially believers. Being faithful means being loyal, steadfast, dependable, trustworthy, and reliable. Sadly in the age of cynicism, being faithful seems to be even more rare. Who can you trust? There is so much evil in the world. Matthew 24 writes that in the end of the age, the love of many shall grow cold because iniquity abounds. Many husbands and wives separate and divorce because of unfaithfulness. Many friendships end because of a lack of loyalty and trustworthiness. Many parents and children have troubled relationships because of questioned trust. It seems as if faithfulness is fast becoming nonexistent because many boundaries have been crossed and trust has been broken. (Matthew 24:12)

The Ten Commandments are mandatory. They are to be obeyed; God's Word is to be obeyed. We cannot obey just a part of God's Word. There is no middle ground with God. Being faithful is a characteristic of one who follows the Ten Commandments. Those who are faithful are not just ones who hear God's Word; they are also doers of God's Word. The faithful not only believe in God, they worship the Lord and only the Lord. They know that He is the One and only True and Living God. They know that He is a Jealous God who shows love to those who love Him and keep His Commandments. The faithful knows that His name is the name of reverence and is not to be taken in vain because He, the Jealous God, is Creator who made us in His image and in His likeness. The faithful also observes the Sabbath day and to keep it holy, though we as believers are to be holy every day. We are to have our minds renewed each day so that we can have the mind of Christ and to use Christ as our example. (Exodus 20:2-17, Deuteronomy 5:6-15)

The faithful honor their parents, even though children are a gift from God. Those who are faithful understand the concept of family, life, and marriage. We are to be faithful in our homes, our relationships with others, and our relationships with God. This is a good lesson for families today, where divorce rates are climbing. Families are being torn apart and children are caught in the middle because wives and husbands question each other's trust, have partners outside of their marriages, and lack the steadfastness to work out their problems and make their marriage work. Many also lie to their partners and their significant others. Many believe that a white lie wouldn't hurt. No where in the Bible is there any such thing as a white lie. It is a lie and people do not trust liars. Liars are amongst people who shall have their part in the Lake of Fire. If a person wants for others to trust and respect them, then they must not lie. Honesty is the best policy as difficult as it may sound to some. (Exodus 20:2-17, Deuternonomy 5:16-21, Revelation 21:8)

Stealing causes a lack of security, safety, and trust. A person taking a pencil without permission is stealing because it is not theirs. A person who is faithful does not steal nor covet, for they know the cost of stealing and coveting. Coveting is a sin in that it is a desire to have what someone else has. Coveting leads to adultery, theft, and all of the consequences of a lack of faithfulness. Those who commit adultery are unfaithful not only to their spouse, but to the covenant of marriage, disrespect their families, and most of all, God. The cost of covetness, adultery, lying, and theft are great not only to families and to children, but to societies in general. But the greatest cost to a lack of faithfulness is the cost to one's soul. What profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? A lack of faithfulness equals a lack of integrity, trustworthiness, and strength of character. (Exodus 20:2-17, Deuternonomy 5:16-21, Matthew 16:26)

But Jesus Christ died for the unfaithful. He is called Faithful and True. He is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. He was there during creation and He will be here forever. He is the same for all time. He will never change. He cannot lie. Believers know that we can depend on Him. The faithful know that when we are living in Christ, we are blessed and will continue to be blessed. Those who are faithful know the price of rebellion. We, unfaithful humanity, have been brought with a price by a Faithful Savior named Jesus. Sadly one day, the unfaithful and unrepentant, will be judged and sadly it will be too late. (Exodus 20:2-17, Deuternomy 8, 11, 28:1-14. 2 Chronicles 1, Nehemiah 1, Job 37-42, Psalm 1, 7, 18, Mark 2:17, John 4, Revelation 3:7, 19:11, 22:13)