Cultivating Faithfulness: Trusting in God and Practicing Consistency as Disciples of Jesus

Faithfulness is a cherished quality for Christians. It reflects the trustworthiness and consistency of God, who always keeps His promises. As believers, we understand that our entire lives, both in this world and the eternal future, depend on God's faithfulness. But what does it mean for us to be faithful? How can we cultivate this important characteristic in our own lives?

When we describe someone as "faithful," we are not referring to the amount of faith they possess, but rather to the trust others can place in them. A faithful person keeps the faith of those who put their trust in them. They consistently align their words and actions, beliefs and behaviors, promises and performances.

However, the reality is that faithfulness is often in short supply. As the Bible asks, "Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?" (Proverbs 20:6). We all desire to be faithful, but we all fall short in different ways and at different times.

So how can we resolve to become more faithful disciples of Jesus? One way is by meditating on Psalm 37:3, which says, "Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness." In this verse, King David encourages us to cultivate faithfulness as a virtue. But what does it mean to "befriend faithfulness"?

David, who was once a shepherd before becoming a king, used a pastoral allusion to convey his message. He spoke of "befriending faithfulness" as if it were grazing on the virtue of faithfulness, diligently cultivating it until it becomes a part of who we are. Just as a shepherd nourishes and protects his flock, we are called to nourish and protect our faithfulness.

To grow in faithfulness, we must exercise it. Building ourselves up spiritually is similar to building our physical and mental capacities – we must exercise what we want to strengthen. Just as bodily strength is increased through physical exercise, and mental acuity is developed through mental exercises, faithfulness is developed through the practice of faithfulness. We must push against internal and external resistance, endure discomfort, and persevere with our current capacities until they increase.

However, developing faithfulness requires more than just willpower. We need to draw strength from Jesus, who is the source of all faithfulness. As Jesus said, "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much" (Luke 16:10). When we are faithful with the small things, Jesus will entrust us with greater responsibilities.

To begin cultivating faithfulness, we must identify the people and responsibilities that Jesus has entrusted to us. These are the areas where God wants us to trust Him and do good. This is the "land" where we are called to dwell and practice faithfulness. By devoting ourselves to faithfulness in these areas, we will become more consistently true to our word and experience less discontinuity between what we say and do.

The Bible provides us with numerous examples of faithfulness. Abraham faithfully followed God's command to leave his homeland and become the father of a great nation. Moses remained faithful to God's instructions despite facing opposition and challenges in leading the Israelites out of Egypt. David, as a shepherd, faithfully protected his flock and later shepherded God's people as king.

Jesus Himself is the epitome of faithfulness. He remained faithful to His mission, even when faced with betrayal, denial, and crucifixion. He fulfilled the promises of God by dying on the cross for our sins and rising again, securing our eternal salvation.

Faithfulness is not just a character trait, but a fruit of the Holy Spirit. When we surrender our lives to God, the Holy Spirit works within us to produce faithfulness. As we grow in our relationship with God, spending time in prayer and studying His Word, we become more attuned to His will and His faithfulness flows through us.

In our journey towards faithfulness, we may stumble and falter. But God's grace is sufficient, and He is always ready to forgive and restore us. As we rely on Him and His strength, we can continue to grow in faithfulness and become more like Jesus.

So, let us be faithful disciples of Jesus, cultivating faithfulness in our lives. Let us trust in the Lord, do good, and befriend faithfulness. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, let us exercise and practice faithfulness, drawing closer to God and becoming a testimony of His faithfulness to others. And one day, we will hear our Master say, "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master" (Matthew 25:23).