As people of Christ, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit, who enables us to bear good fruit. The fruit that we bear is an outward sign of the sanctification the Holy Spirit has rendered in our hearts. In this month’s installment of our series on the fruit of the Holy Spirit we will travel deep into the heart of God and taste the sweet fruit of Faithfulness.  

Faithfulness is our commitment to what or who we value as important. It is the quality that enables a person to continue doing what is right, even in the face of obstacles and difficulties. As humans, Christian or not, we have an innate capacity to be faithful to what is important to us, like our spouse, our children, our jobs, etc. but as a fruit of the Spirit, faithfulness takes on whole new dimension in that all our faithfulness is directed towards God and the fulfilment of His will. Does this mean that one is no longer faithful to their worldly responsibilities? Not at all. When the faithfulness of the Spirit ripens within a person, all their acts become offerings to God. As fruit of the Spirit, faithfulness sprouts from a deeply rooted confidence in God’s truth and promises. 

In the Bible we read more about God’s faithfulness then our own, for it is one of His major characteristics. Our Lord is a faithful God who is the giver and keeper of promises. He is un-changing, the same as yesterday, today, and forever. It’s His faithfulness that we belong to Him through Jesus Christ. His faithfulness is unfailing, infinite, and everlasting. We are called to return that faithfulness through our devotion to Him and our willingness to surrender our will for His sake, to endure, like Jesus did in His passion, and praise and glorify Him always. Our faithfulness is exhibited in declaring the word of God, in helping our brothers and sisters, in bearing witness, in reproving others, in maintaining our relationships, in doing our work, and in keeping secrets and conveying messages. As we strive to cultivate this fruit within, the Holy Spirit will help us grow, develop, and be nurtured by obedience to God’s word and His commandments. God wants us to be faithful to him in all circumstances. If we remain faithful to Him, we will also remain faithful to others. 

“Be faithful in small things for in them lies your strength” -St Mother Teresa of Calcutta 

“If we have died with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we continue to endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He will also deny us. Even when we are not faithful, He remains faithful, for he cannot be false to Himself.” -2Timothy 2:11 

Finally, faithfulness as fruit of the Spirit blesses us and makes us wise, joyful, un-wavering, humble, meek, obedient, disciplined, contented, righteous, anointed, and perseverant. We become a blessing to those around us and radiate the glory of God.