The Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23

     Are you still unsure about the Gospel? Can this Good News be true? We need to hear the Word before God speaks to our hearts about Jesus, and we discover faith.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word about Christ.  Romans 10:17

     Sixteen years after Joyful Jenny and her family moved in next door to Crabby Cathy, JJ and her daughter, Kind Katie are sitting with CC on her patio. It is God’s timing. It has taken years of sharing God’s fruit, including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and goodness. Today is the day for CC to hear the Word of God.

     Katie reads John 3:16, followed by 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, explaining the free gift of the sacrifice, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. CC listens quietly. She looks at Katie and replies with a simple, “Yes, I believe. Jesus, please forgive me for everything I have done.” Their eyes glisten with tears and the seeds of faith are planted. The Holy Spirit moves into CC’s heart on a glorious summer day. She would never be the same. And neither will we.  God is pleased with our faith:

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.  Hebrews 11:6

 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29

     We are blessed for our faith and God is pleased. He rewards those who diligently seek Him.  I’ll say He does. Those simple words, “I believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior,” give us an eternal home in heaven and a new life on earth, and the faithfulness of a loving Father forevermore.

Dear Father,

Thank you for Your faithfulness in finding ways for us to hear Your Word. You have placed us here for a purpose. Guide us in Your Spirit to use the fruit in ways that are pleasing to You. Help us in our unbelief. Open our eyes to see You and say, “Yes!”

In Jesus name,

Amen