THE GLORY OF GOD ( PART# 86)
Pastor Christopher Choo
Lesson 3384
THE GLORY OF GOD ( PART# 86)
From Glory to Glory ( Study #65)
Walking By The Spirit #35
REVIEW OF THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT#9
When a believer is controlled by the Holy Spirit, he or she manifests:
1) UPWARD FRUIT ( towards God ): Love, Joy, Peace (Galatians 5:22)
2) OUTWARD FRUIT ( towards others )
(Galatians 5:22b) which consists of
patience,
kindness and
goodness (faithfulness)
3) INWARD FRUIT ( towards self )
(Galatians 5:22-23)
made up of faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control.
1. INWARD FRUIT OF FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, AND SELF-CONTROL TOWARDS SELF
FAITHFULNESS AS THE FIRST INWARD FRUIT TOWARDS SELF
The final three segments of the Fruit of the Spirit begin with the seventh quality - Faithfulness ( Pistis in Greek ) which is also translated as
Loving-kindness
(the manifestation of the Fruit of the Spirit that pertains to loyalty and trustworthiness).
The prophet Jeremiah famously declared that “the Lord’s Faithfulness or
Loving-kindnesses
indeed never cease, for His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness” (Lam. 3:22).
As an aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit, Pistis has yet a further meaning:
faithfulness or fidelity (the quality of being true, trustworthy, and reliable in all one’s dealings with others). This is like the marital vow between a husband and wife to remain faithful to each other to the exclusion of all others.
Paul encouraged the Corinthians to bear this fruit
(1 Corinthians 4:1-2 ).
[4:1] This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
[2] Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. (ESV)
Furthermore, if our lives embody this fruit, it becomes an element of assurance of eternal life
(Revelation 2:10 ).
[10] Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. (ESV)
Abba Father, this virtue of PISTIS ( Faithfulness ) is an inward character trait. It is like sworn loyalty towards a king or leader or a bond of brotherhood that cannot be broken. It has a noble connotation akin to a covenantal vow that we keep our faith in God and covenantal partners through life and death.
This is the quality of our character that Jesus is looking for when He asks this question of us:
" When I return, will I find faith on earth?" ( Luke 18:8 ) especially of His Church, the Bride of Christ.
