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Faith: A Much Needed Fruit of the Spirit
In Luke 18 Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow. Apparently she was being harassed or taken advantage of by a person she considered to be an enemy. She takes her case to the judge that was living in her city and asks him to avenge her (or to judge her case and hold the oppressor accountable for whatever he was doing to cause her injury) and the judge would not do anything to help her at first. It appears that he just ignored her, after all she was just a widow, she was not anyone important. But the widow would not let the judge rest, but was persistent in taking her complaint to him and finally he relented and helped her; not because he feared what any man (or even God) would do or say, but because he was tired of having her constantly bugging him about her dilemma. (Luke 18:5-8)
In conclusion to His parable, Jesus asks a very poignant question: "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8)
What does it mean to have faith? And how important is it to have faith and to be faithful ourselves? This week we are studying the seventh fruit of the Holy Spirit; "faith".
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Following is a somewhat lengthy definition of what faith is, for this is a very important fundamental subject and is such a deep spiritual concept that all of us as loyal followers of Christ need to fully grasp, me included.
The meaning of what "faith" is has become so misconstrued by false teachings about this subject that most people in our society have no real clue that faith is more than just a belief in God or that there are many "faiths" that lead to the same "God".
And as far as the prevailing morality of our day goes, the idea or the inclination to being true to anything and being faithful is a bygone virtue. It just does not seem to be a priority to most that they are faithful to the true God of the Bible and to obey Him in all things. Nor does it seem to be important to most to try to live lives of integrity; to be men and women who are faithful to keep their word, their promises, uphold their responsibilities, fulfill their contract obligations, and even to honor their marriage vows. Sadly, this is also a problem in the churches of God; a lack of real faith to His Word, being faithful to Him only and then being a light to the world of what it means to be faithful.
We are truly living in the time that Paul described in 2nd Timothy 3:1-9; and as followers of Jesus we need to resist the kind of faithless mindset and conduct that is prevalent all around us and to be beacons of what it means to have true faith in our Creator and to exhibit His kind of faithfulness ourselves.
The Greek word for "faith" used in this verse is pistis (Strong's 4102) and means; assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity. From peitho; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself -- assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity. (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance.)
William Barclay writes about faith in this way: "This word (pistis) is common in secular Greek for trustworthiness. It is the characteristic of the man [or woman] who is reliable." (William Barclay Commentary, p. 51)
The Hebrew word for faith is emunah (Strong"s #530) and means: faithful set office, stability, steady, truly, truth, verily); or (shortened) >emunah {em-oo-naw'} feminine of 'emuwn; literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity, faith(-ful, -ly, -ness, (man)), set office, stability, steady, truly, truth, verily. (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance)
The definition according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary is: allegiance to duty or a person, loyalty, fidelity to one's promises, sincerity of intentions, belief and trust in and loyalty to God, belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion, firm belief in something for which there is no proof, complete trust, something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially, a system of religious beliefs ( http://www.merriam-webster.com)
This also from the Merriam Webster Dictionary comparing "faithful: with synonyms making its meaning even more clearer.
"Synonym Discussion of FAITHFUL faithful, loyal, constant, staunch, steadfast, resolute mean firm in adherence to whatever one owes allegiance.
Faithful implies unswerving adherence to a person or thing or to the oath or promise by which a tie was contracted (faithful to her promise).
Loyal implies a firm resistance to any temptation to desert or betray (remained loyal to the czar).
Constant stresses continuing firmness of emotional attachment without necessarily implying strict obedience to promises or vows (constant friends).
Staunch suggests fortitude and resolution in adherence and imperviousness to influences that would weaken it (a staunch defender of free speech).
Steadfast implies a steady and unwavering course in love, allegiance, or conviction (steadfast in their support).
Resolute implies firm determination to adhere to a cause or purpose (a resolute ally).
Other synonyms include dedicated, steadfast, devoted, dependable, accurate, true, conscientious, dutiful, careful, scrupulous and thorough." (http://www.merriam-webster.com)
The opposite of faith and faithfulness is: irresponsible, undependable, unreliable, untrustworthy; faltering, hesitant, vacillating, wavering; dubious, irresolute, shaky, uncertain; apathetic, dispassionate, uninterested, unbelieving, dishonest, disloyal, doubting, treacherous, unscrupulous, lukewarm in commitment. "not keeping faith."
In the Bible we are given a very straightforward definition of faith in Hebrews 11, the "Faith Chapter."
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
The rest of the chapter gives us many examples of faith as exemplified in the lives of God's faithful men and women whose lives are recorded in Scripture for us to learn from. Their lives are written to encourage us to follow in their footsteps of having faith toward God and living by faith. Please take time to read the whole chapter as it is so relevant to the whole study on faith and what it means to be faithful. Reading this chpater again will refresh our memories of the many instances where the Bible tells about each of these peoples lives in a much broader context and how they responded to their life's challenges with godly faith.
All of these definitions give us a more concise understanding of what faith means and how it is applied in all kinds of situations that require faith and faithfulness; and as we ponder on the lives of the many servants of God as listed in Hebrews 11, we can see that these are exactly the kind of qualities that they exemplified as people of great faith.
And not only the persons listed in the Faith Chapter, but the whole Bible is full of what it means to have faith. In fact, the main theme of the Bible is having faith in God because we must first of all believe in His existence, having faith that what He says is true, that His whole Word is the truth and that we need to heed everything that the Word of God teaches us and to have faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and that He died for our sins.
God's Word teaches us that if we believe, repent and apply His sacrifice to all our sins, that we are forgiven and we are then called the children of God; that we can be resurrected and obtain a spiritual body and live forever with God (if we remain faithful), and on and on. There is so much about faith in the Bible, I don't really know where to even to begin. If you do a word search on faith, faithful, faithfulness, and related subjects to faith, many, many Scriptures will come up.
Jesus Christ is called Faithful and True
Jesus Christ is the very essence of FAITH, the very epitome of faithfulness to His Father and He is our perfect example of what it is to have faith.
We are told in Revelation that Jesus is CALLED Faithful and True, this quality is in His name and it's what He IS.
Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
He is not only called Faithful and True, He also says of Himself that He is a Faithful Witness.
Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Revelation 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
He is the faithful witness not only to the things written about in Revelation, but also as someone who has been in existence from eternity as part of the Elohim, which also includes God the Father. Together they designed the blueprints of the divine plan to reproduce spiritual children out of physical individuals that would grow and develop to be like them making it possible for even more persons to be a part of the Family of God.
Not only was He a co-planner with the Father, Jesus was witness to all the counsels and plans of God, working and cooperating with Him, and the One who made all things at Creation. He has been involved in, and has witnessed all of man's history down through the ages. Not only that, but He became flesh and blood as a man on earth and was a faithful witness of His Father while living here, exemplifying and teaching all of the ways of God and His commandments. He was a witness for us as to what it was like for Him to live here on earth as a man and all of the events that happened during that time, including the miracles. And finally the greatest miracle of all; to die, be resurrected to Spirit and ascend back up to once again be with His heavenly Father from where they manage the Ekklesia.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
He gave us His testimony of everything that His Father gave Him to give to His followers. He said in the beginning of His ministry that: "No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom [intimate presence] of the Father, he hath declared him. [He has revealed Him and brought Him out where He can be seen by us seeing Jesus being the expressed image of His Father; He has interpreted Him and He has made Him known]. (John 1:18)
At the last Passover service Jesus wanted to impart His final statements to the men that He had taught and discipled the past 3 ½ years; He told them that He had made known to them all the things that He had heard of His Father.
John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Jesus was faithful to reveal the will of His Father to His disciples and had it recorded for us as well; and we know that everything that He tells us is true, for He is a faithful witness, who cannot be deceived nor does He deceive us.
Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
If we put our trust in God that He is a faithful God and tells us the truth, we have strong consolation [solace, comfort] and we can lay hold [sieze upon] that truth with all our might, internalizing it into our hearts and beings. By doing so, we then have the hope of the whole purpose of God and His plan of redemption set before us and it becomes our focus and goal.
Hebrews 6:18 That by two immutable [unchangeable] things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Jesus Christ is faithful because He never changes: He will keep all His Word and His promises will not fail.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Psalm 102:26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: 27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. 28 The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.
The total reliability and faithfulness of Jesus Christ is shown in His personal character, and made known by His words and works. He is the one by whom everything we see was made; whether it be the physical creation or the spiritual realm, and He is head over it all (under His Father).
Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
It is only by having faith through Jesus that we can know the way to eternal life, receive His truth, and then have access to the Father. We must believe that Jesus is the embodiment of all truth, that He created all things and that He is the Head of His Ekklesia before we can even begin to follow Him.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
1st John 5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
But this Faith Does Not Come from Within Ourselves
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
We must have a personal calling from God the Father first which begins the process of having faith. to then go forward to do the other things necessary to becoming a member of His body.
John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
If we respond to the Father's call, we will begin to see that we have been sinners all of our life and come to realize our need to repent and be baptized. At the laying on of hands and prayer to receive the Holy Spirit we have God's Spirit imparted to us and we receive all the fruits that make up His Spirit, which includes a measure of faith. It can only come as a gift from our Father initially, and it enables us to start keeping all of His commandments and we begin to grow to be more like the Father and His Son; and as we obey them, we will grow in faith as well.
If we don't have faith or lack faith we cannot go on to perfection and we will never be in His Kingdom. The Father is seeking children who worship Him in spirit and in truth. In order to do that we must know His Truth, be totally convicted that it is true and wholeheartedly practice it.
John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Also, like the other fruits, we can ask for more of His Spirit and ask to have more faith on a daily basis as we mentioned before in past Newsletters about receiving the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:9-13).
What Faith is Not
There are many in the world that profess faith in God but do not even know Him and what He really is about, nor what He really teaches. To simply believe in God or to accept the beliefs of our peers or our parents handed down to us is not godly faith!
James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Just like Jesus said to the woman at the well who thought that she had the true religion: "Ye worship ye know not what...."
Many people think that just because they believe in God (or a god) that they have faith, but this is not so. We must not only believe that He exists (the One who is the true Creator of the Universe); but we must also believe in the truth of His Word and have strong convictions that it is of utmost importance to obey His Word.
Someone may believe that it is wrong to commit fornication but then go ahead and do it anyway, or they may believe it is wrong to lie but lie whenever it suits them. They may even believe that God exists but reason that they don't really need to fear and obey Him. A true belief in God means that we not only believe in Him, but believe in what He says, including what He tells us we must do to enter into eternal life and then believe it enough to do it.
John 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
There is only one ELOHIM and there is only one TRUTH and that is the only source of true faith; all other belief systems are the commandments of men and doctrines of demons.
Mark 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
1st Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
We show what we truly believe in by what we do (unless we are hypocrites). Faith is the motivator that displays to ourselves and to others what we really are committed to believing in. Faith is not just an intellectual agreement with an ideal or set of rules but is a living faith; in that if we have true godly faith we will put that faith into action.
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
But there is still hope eventually for those who do not have true faith at this time. For those of us who do know God's truth we can be examples to them at this time. And someday they will remember that there were those in their midst that did have true faith. When they have their turn to be called, God may recall memories of when they saw and heard the truth in others but rejected it for themselves. But in the future when their eyes have been opened, they will have an opportunity to seek God and may even go to those that they knew before to teach them the true and right ways of God.
Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Finding the Real Faith of God
Once we have been called by our Father, how do we know the true faith from the false faith?
We must go directly to God's Word, for that is the Source of God's truth and that is where we will find the true faith of God.
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Faith comes by hearing [and reading] the Word of the God and the more we fill ourselves up with His Word the more Faith we will have!
Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
We read God's Word, study it, mediate on it, pray God's Word, and then seek out good teachers that can expound God's Word more fully to us (Acts 8:27-38).
Good teachers will preach the Word and back up whatever they teach with God's Word. They point their students to God the Father and to Jesus as Lord and Savior and to all their Word and exhort always to keep all of God's commandments, ordinances, statutes, and judgments. If an elder or minister or anyone that is teaching directs us away from God's Word and His commandments, or is not living God's way himself, then we need to run from that person.
Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Once you have God's true faith, guard it and don't let anyone take it away from you. Turn away from those who do not embrace the whole Word of God or who are trying to promote the traditions of men that are not found in the Bible; an example is the Rabbinic calendar and other such non-biblical teachings; or turn away from them if they are not living good examples of godly faithfulness themselves.
Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
2nd John 7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
If we let anyone or anything take our faith, we let them take our crown!
Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Seek God with All Your Heart!
Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
And as we seek God's Word and His truth more and more, we will receive understanding and wisdom which in turn will tend to increase our faith. The more we know and understand of God, the more faith we will have in Him.
Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
How Are We to Exhibit Faithfulness Ourselves?
We are living in a very faithless society. Is there anyone out there in a position of responsibility or in a leadership role that is loyal to any kind of integrity and moral standard anymore?
The apostle Paul forecasts the mind and behavior of the people that would be living in the end times.
2nd Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Here we see a number of negative of qualities describing what the end times will be like. This description begins with "lovers of themselves" and ends with "lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God."
These are people who love themselves more than God or anyone else and love the pleasures of this world more than God. This list of self-gratifying characteristics are the very opposite of what it means to be faithful. And yet we see this type of behavior in all levels of our society and this mindset permeates our culture, beginning with school children all the way up to the highest leaders in the land.
How can anyone be faithful to God if the most important thing in his life is himself and his own selfish wants and aspirations using any means available to obtain his own pleasure and coveted positions in this world; regardless of any consideration or respect for anyone else, including his own parents?
Faithfulness is a rare commodity in this world but if we are to become as Jesus is and emulate His faithfulness, we must overcome and reject the self-seeking and selfishness that the world teaches.
If we are putting God first above anyone or anything else, He will be the most important person and treasure in our lives. If we see Him as truly important, we will be resolved to value His commitment to us and reciprocate that commitment by being faithful back to Him.
We must put Him before even our family members, closest of friends, employers, elders, church organizations, teachers, sports, hobbies, and even before ourselves.
Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Jesus wanted to know Peter's heart when He appeared to him and the other disciples after His death and resurrection when Peter and the others went back to fishing. (John 21:3-14)
John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Jesus purposely asks Peter three times if he loved Him. The first time Jesus asked if his love for Him was more than these; possibly referring to his fishing companions or it could have been his occupation.
Jesus wanted to impress on Peter's mind that He, Jesus, must be the most important thing in his life, more than companions, more than fishing, more than anything on earth and drive home the fact that he had been given an important job to do and needed to be committed to Jesus first in order to fulfill all his responsibility of "feeding God's sheep." He would need to be faithful and loyal to His Lord as the most important of all in his life, especially in light of the high calling that Jesus had chosen for him to fulfill.
And so it is with us; we must love God more than anything and anyone else and resolve in our hearts that we will remain faithful to Him no matter what. God is calling us to positions in His kingdom and He wants us to prove our fidelity and steadfastness now while we are in training here in this life; for He needs to see if He can entrust us with the responsibility for the provision and teaching of those He will place in our care when we are placed in positions of rulership. Even if we see ourselves as not very important or do not have that much to be responsible for, God tells us that "he who is faithful in little is faithful in much"; and if we are faithful in the small things, He will be able to entrust us with the much bigger things when inducted into His Kingdom if we have remained obedient and faithful.
Jesus made His point to Peter and as an example to all that would become His loyal followers after Peter, that they must esteem Him more highly than anything else and obey Hm above all others and be faithful to Him.
Is this beyond our reach to do? Does not marriage require a similar fidelity and steadfast love, and by forsaking all others? Without faithfulness, a marriage cannot endure.
Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
This is not to say that it is easy! We all know how difficult it can be sometimes. Jesus warns us that all who take up their cross that the gate is strait and the way is narrow and we must reject the wide and easy road that is so inviting to us. The life of a true follower of Jesus requires a great deal of focus, vision and discipline to be faithful to His way of life. Is that not what Paul was referring to when he talk about running in a race?
1st Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
 Paul is saying that if athletes can train and subject themselves to the most grueling practice and restrict their lifestyles in order to obtain a frail wreath, a paper certificate or a ribbon; then we should be even more motivated because we are striving to obtain a more enduring and permanent crown and a position with Christ in His kingdom forever. And plus we have God's own Spirit that empowers us to be able to do what it takes to stay the course.
With God All Things are Possible
As with all the other fruits of the Spirit that we have been studying, Jesus Christ and the Father are our models and we must look to them as our examples of faithfulness to encourage us to trust and remain steadfast ourselves. All of God's great men and women of faith had to have this fruit in abundance and in the end they will not be disappointed. They came to see that God never failed them and that even though many suffered and died for their faith they will be exceedingly rewarded in the very next moment of consciousness when they rise up in the resurrection.
Even though we are weak flesh and blood humans, the following verses give us much assurance and they help to build our faith by telling us that we can do it; we can be faithful until the end if we are trusting in God to help us to do so. It is His will that we remain faithful, and if He has called us, He desires to help us until He gives us the Kingdom.
1st Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Peter in his second epistle gives the formula that he had learned in the years intervening the time he had the conversation with Jesus; and tells us that if we do certain things we cannot fail, and admonishes us to give all diligence to make our calling and election sure.
2nd Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
Jesus' Question to Us at the End Time
"Do you love me more than these?" ["Am I more important than all else in your life and can I trust you to do my work of feeding my sheep?"]
At the beginning of this study we read that Jesus asked a similar important question after He related the story of the persistant widow; "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" [Will He find His Ekklesia busy with the task of doing His work and remaining faithful?]
Matthew 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
We must be like the persistent widow who was willing to put her trust in the unjust judge and was persistent until she received justice. How much more we should put our trust and persevere in faithfulness until the Righteous and Just Judge returns; and never give up until that time or if we should die before.
He will be with us always even until the very end of this age. We can have faith in His promise to be with us always..... if we remain faithful to Him.
Constance
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