The obvious definition of faithful is “full of faith.” That includes keeping faith, being worthy of trust; honest; loyal; having steadfast adherence and undeviating allegiance. Another way of saying this is simply, doing what you said you would do; keeping your word. Faithfulness is a fruit of the Spirit so let’s look at some of the Scriptures that will help us understand faithfulness. We serve a faithful God, we are to have faith in Him, and He is the One who gives and sustains our faith, and He is the beginning and end of our faith.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Read More

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness….”

Goodness is virtuous, kind, pure, generous, excellent, benevolent. It is moral excellence.

What’s the opposite of goodness? Badness.

God is abounding and overflowing in goodness.

Exodus 34:6-7a And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.

Psalm 27:13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Psalm 31:19 Oh, how great is Your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men.

Psalm 52:1b The goodness of God endures continually.

Romans 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? Read More

God is Kind

A definition: sympathetic, friendly, gentle, tender-hearted, generous. Also note the connection to mercy in many of the verses below. Mercy is a disposition to forgive, pity; it is compassionate, implies forbearance and sympathy. Kindness is bestowing blessings.

Nehemiah 9:17b But you are God, ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness, and did not forsake them.

Psalm 117 Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples! For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!

Isaiah 54:10 “For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has mercy on you.

Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

The godly woman speaks with kindness.

Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.This means she has the law of kindness governing all she says. Psalm 141:3 is a prayer for God to set a watch at the “door of my lips.” We should ask God to station kindness as a guard there. Read More

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering…” (Galatians 5:22).

What is longsuffering? Here’s what the dictionary says: continuing in spite of difficulties or obstacles, refusing to give up, remaining steadfast in purpose, bearing injuries, insults, or troubles patiently for a long, long time. (In other words, suffering for a long time.) It is similar to patience: the ability to endure without complaint, bearing suffering, provocation, delay, or tediousness with calmness and self-control, refusing to be provoked or angered, as by an insult.

What kinds of things require patience, endurance, or longsuffering? Difficulties, obstacles, injuries, insults, troubles, suffering, provocation, delay, and tediousness. That about sums it up, don’t you think? And the thought of suffering through so much seems impossible. Well, it is. Christianity is the right religion for all of us, because we need a Savior. In Christ we can find patience, but apart from Him we will all just blow a fuse with so much provocation in this world.

Let’s consider a few of these common stumbling blocks which call for patience and longsuffering. Read More

As with each fruit listed in the passage in Galatians, God not only is our example of peace, but also the source of our peace. We can see from the passages below that God is the God of peace, He is our peace, He gives us peace, and we have peace with God through Christ. God has made all the provision for us to live in peace with Him and with one another.

What is peace? Peace is a state of calm, quiet, and harmony; the absence of strife, anxiety, or disorder. It is not quarrelsome.

God is the God of peace:

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.Ephesians 2:14 “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation.

Romans 16:20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.

2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Read More

What is it?

What are the distinguishing marks of joy? Is it an emotional high or something we can produce on demand? No. Joy is something that the Spirit gives, and therefore the flesh cannot manipulate or imitate it. Joy is an intense, deep, and abiding satisfaction in the sovereignty and goodness of God. Joy is praise. Though the unbeliever can experience some kinds of earthly joy as the result of God’s common grace to all men, it is not the same as the joy of the Lord. It is a shallow, worldly joy that is based on changing circumstances. The joy of the Lord is a gift of the Spirit. Let’s examine some of the Scriptures that relate to joy and rejoicing.

Who should rejoice?

All the righteous. As far as I can see, there are no exceptions. What a blessed commandment for us to obey.

“But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name by joyful in thee. For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield” (Psalm 5:11-12).

“Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright” (Psalm 33:1).

“But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice” {Psalm 68:3).

All of creation rejoices:

“Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth” (Psalm 96:11-13). Read More