Commentary on "The Fruit of the Spirit is Faithfulness"

PHIL HARRIS

 

Day 4: Tuesday, February 16, 2010

 

Overview

This lesson centers on the examples of those who displayed the faith that only comes from God listed in Hebrews Chapter Eleven.

 

Observations

In Heb. 11:1-2 we learn that ”faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” and in Heb 12:1-2 we learn that “Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” is the source, in all ages, of those who display God’s faith. Jesus is not only the source of our faith, he perfected our faith. The conclusion can only be that faith or ‘increased faith’ is not and can never be a work of ours.

In Hebrews Eleven, not one person is said to have increased their faith or reached a state of perfection. God gave them faith and they were able to act upon what was imputed into their lives in spite of their human weaknesses.

In the teacher’s edition of the lesson, it states that some men of Israel “started off faithfully but didn’t stick to God all the way”. Well, obviously they didn’t “stick to God all the way”, but did they ever have God’s imputed faith in the first place? Certainly not!

Of King David, God said he was “a man of my own heart”, Acts 13:22. In spite of his many sins, King David’s faith never changed nor did he ever reach perfection. His relationship with the Savior was eternally secure.

In spite of appearances, some never have God’s salvation nor his imputed gift of faith:

On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' (Matt. 7:22-23 ESV)

For true Christians who have the gift of faith in their lives we find this assurance:

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 ESV)

When reading this passage in your Bible, be sure to include the verses that come before it and experience the love of God who gives such a wonderful promise to those in his kingdom.

 

Summary

1. Faith, along with the other fruits of the Holy Spirit, is a gift of God. It is called a fruit of the Holy Spirit because the display of faithfulness is a result of the imputed reality of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian.
2. This display of faith is a work of God. God’s works are perfect and eternal. Therefore, when God promises that nothing can separate a person from his love, our faithfulness is really founded upon his faithfulness.

 

GO TO DAY 5

 

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