ئەپەکە بەدەست بهێنەSeeking Civility Through the Fruit of the Spiritنموونە
Faithfulness
"Faithfulness" translates pistis, which means "faith" in relation to God and faithfulness in relation to people.
All through Scripture, we read that our Father is "faithful."
For instance, 1 Thessalonians 5:24 states, "He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."
In 2 Thessalonians 3:3, Paul writes, "The Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one."
Now your Father calls you to be faithful with him and others as he has been faithful with you: "Fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you" (1 Samuel 12:24).
You Can Be Faithful By Remembering God’s Faithfulness
"And he will reward your faithfulness in eternity: "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 25:21).
Our celebrity-obsessed culture glamorizes movie and television stars, but it’s the hundreds of names on the credits at the end of the show that make their work possible.
When a COVID-19 vaccine comes to market, it may be attributed to the leader of the team that developed it, but untold numbers of lesser-known medical and technological professionals will have been part of the process.
If your kingdom assignment is not one that the world celebrates, know this: your obedience is noted and celebrated by the Audience that matters most.
Scripture assures us that God “will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God” (1 Corinthians 4:5).
Where do you need the faithfulness of God today?
With whom is He calling you to be faithful?
Apply the lesson
- How has the Lord proven His faithfulness in your life?
- How has faithfulness to God revealed itself in your life?
- Why is faithfulness one quality of a civil person? Put another way: How does faithfulness cause an uncivil person to react?
Does this prayer from Scripture describe your faithfulness: “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)? If so, pray that God would do the same.
About this Plan
How can we, as Christians, be civil people in an uncivil time? The best description of civility I know is found in Galatians 5:22–23. If we would be people of civility, we need to be people who manifest the fruit of the Spirit. Let’s look at each manifestation of that fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
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