Do wedding couples lie to each other when they exchange their vows? Absolutely not, but as time goes by, they forget the part, ‘for better or worse, till death do us apart’. Why do people ‘talk the talk, but fail to walk the walk’? People have wishful thinking, but they lack integrity. There is one quality that is essential for every successful and lasting marriage, and that is faithfulness.

Peter loved Jesus very much and spoke of following Him, even dying for Him. Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You.” (John 13:37). Was Peter lying of his love for Jesus? Unquestionably no, he loved Jesus just like all wedding couples do when they stand by the altar and pledge their vows.

Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times (John 13:38). Peter denied Jesus because he feared being persecuted and killed.

Peter later repented of his unfaithfulness to Jesus. He was filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost and he went around preaching the gospel. What gave Peter the ability to follow Jesus without fear of losing his life or being imprisoned? It was the Holy Spirit. Faithfulness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Apart from God we are nothing. It’s only when we abide in Christ that we are able to love fully. Faithfulness is love that is constant in every circumstance.

Picture2Faithfulness is the characteristic of God. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 1:9). In a marriage, a man and a woman commit themselves to each other. A marriage is successful and lasting, when both of them stay faithful in all circumstances of life. If one is faithful and other unfaithful, we have a breach in the commitment.

Similarly, in our relationship with God, if we are unfaithful to our calling, disobedient to God’s word, then we have a breach in our relationship with God. It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:11-13).

Faithfulness comes from our faith, our confidence, our trust, our reliance on God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him (Hebrews 11:6).

Faithfulness will always undergo a test. Faithfulness has to be proved. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold–though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world (1 Peter 1:7).

God holds us accountable for the gifts and talents, He has bestowed on us. His master said to him, ‘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).

Faithfulness holds on tight, it stands firm in all trials, it perseveres till the end, and it never gives up. ‘Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).

Love and faithfulness go together. You cannot love without being faithful and you cannot be faithful without love. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man (Proverbs 3:3-4).

Faithfulness is derived from our faith in God and it has to be genuine faith without pretence, which can withstand all trials and persecution. Would you give up faith, if the going gets rough, or when your circumstances are beyond your understanding? Are you willing to praise God despite great pain and sorrow? Can you bless God, when your life comes crumbling down or you are facing inconceivable ordeal? God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him (James 1:12). God’s faithfulness towards us is His love for us. Our faithfulness towards God is our love for Him.

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