But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. There is no law against these things!    Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

Today we look at another fruit of the spirit, faithfulness. Faith is simply a complete trust and confidence in God. I think one of the best definitions of faith in the Bible is Hebrews 11:1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Another verse is Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we see did not come from anything that can be seen. Substance implies an actual thing, something physical, touchable. For me the most compelling evidence for faith is the “substance” of the God-created natural world we live in. The diversity, beauty, details, abundance, and the awesomeness of it all.

The first step in the path to faith is belief. Here is a simplistic illustration of faith, you may have heard if before, I believe that a chair is for sitting and that it will hold me when I sit on it, I trust the chair and actually sit down in it, I have faith that the chair behind me (without turning around and studying it) will hold me as I sit down.

If we apply this very simple example to our faith in God, it might look something like this. I believe that God exists and that He created the entire world and I believe that Jesus is His Son who died and arose for me. I trust that when I confess my belief and ask for forgiveness of my sins and for salvation that I am saved, a child of God. Now comes the faith, I know, without having ever seen God or Jesus, that the Holy Spirit will be with me to protect and guide and comfort me. We can have faith in the promises of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (My favorite promise!)

Now, that is not to say that faith is that instantaneously acquired! Our faith grows over time as we trust, and as we see God deliver on His promises. And many, many times I fall very short! I tend to be a worrier and a planner. I mull over things that I have to do in order to decide the best plan of action. I rehearse what to say to someone. I try to anticipate every small detail of a situation. And I hear Jesus saying these words to me, “O, you of little faith!”

If I had the perfect faith of Jesus, I could calm the sea, move a mountain, heal the sick. But my faith falls exceedingly short of “perfect”. I am always praying for more faith just like the disciples. “And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”” Luke 17:5 And over time, and with lots of prayer and study of God’s word, and with God’s faithfulness shown to me, my faith has increased. I am blessed by all God has done for me and my family and friends. My thankfulness of God’s promises, realized in my life, adds to my faith.

This week try to choose just one small area where you need to stretch your faith. Worrying about your children? (One of my biggies!) Complaining about something or someone? Being impatient when waiting for an answer to a prayer? Struggling with an illness? Family relationships? Then pray, with remembrance and thanksgiving for all God has already done for you, and ask Him to increase your faith.

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we wind down our series on the fruits of the spirit, only one more!

Blessings and may God increase our faithfulness and our peace!