Next Step #24
Next Step #24 – October 27, 2007
Hi Everyone!
As you may recall from the last several next steps, we’re investing some time in investigating the “FRUIT” of the Spirit. The Apostle Paul writes the following in Galatians 5:22-23: 22But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, FAITHFULNESS, 23gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
The seventh trait in the fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness. I don’t know whether the Apostle Paul consciously placed FAITHFULNESS as the seventh of the nine characteristics of the “fruit” of the Spirit, but in biblical numerology, the number seven is the number of perfection or completion. Faithfulness stands in that number seven position for good reason. Faithfulness is a primary characteristic of God. God is 100% faithful, 100% of the time. In the Old Testament two traits of God are often paired: steadfast love and faithfulness. In our lives, if we want to be like God, then we must also demonstrate LOVE, which is the first characteristic of the “fruit” of the Spirit and FAITHFULNESS, which is the seventh. Faithfulness by God means always being and doing what He says He will be and do. For us faithfulness means OBEDIENCE. When we know God’s will and obey it, we are being faithful. Our faithfulness shows others that we truly love God. Dr. Dale Milligan used to define loving God in this way: to love God is to trust Him enough to obey Him. God always knows what’s best for us. Therefore, when we trust Him enough to obey Him, our lives will be both blessed by God and a blessing to others. That doesn’t necessarily mean that they will be easy. When I take the time daily to ask God to fill me with the Holy Spirit, and to let my life demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit, I always pause on this seventh characteristic and ask God to let me love Him enough that I will trust Him and obey Him. Take some time right now to ask God to fill you anew with the Holy Spirit, so that you may be faithful—that you may obey Him regardless of what He asks of you today! As you do that, and as you live that, know that you will truly be loving God!
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