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The Fruit of the Spirit: "Faith"
(Galatians 5:22-23)

​Introduction:

         1. The fruit of the Spirit consists of the 9 special characteristics listed in Galatians 5:22-23.
         2. In this lesson we are concentrating on the 7th characteristic: "faith."

Discussion:

I.           LET  US  FIRST  DEFINE  "FAITH"

         A. In the Bible, "faith" has several different shades of meaning.
         B. "Faith" sometimes refers to belief and trust in God that is demonstrated by obedience to His will.
             1. To illustrate, Abraham's faith led him to obey God's will (Hebrews 11:8).
             2. According to Hebrews 11:6, this kind of faith is essential.
         C. "Faith" sometimes refers to faithfulness [fidelity, reliability, and trustworthiness].
             1. To illustrate, God is described as being faithful in 1 Corinthians 10:13.
             2. According to 1 Corinthians 4:2, this kind of faith is also essential.
         D. The "faith" that is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) is faithfulness.

II.          THE  BIBLE  STRESSES  THE  NECESSITY  OF  FAITHFULNESS

         A. (Matthew 10:22) "He that endureth to the end shall be saved."
         B. (Matthew 24:44-47) When Jesus returns, His faithful servants will be blessed.
         C. The necessity of faithfulness is also seen in:
             1. the reward of the 5-talent man (Matthew 25:21)
             2. the reward of the 2-talent man (Matthew 25:23)
             3. the punishment of the 1-talent man (Matthew 25:29-30).
         D. See Revelation 2:10
         E. In addition to stressing the necessity of faithfulness, . . .

III.         THE  BIBLE  ALSO  WARNS  AGAINST  UNFAITHFULNESS

         A. Hebrews 3:12
         B. Hebrews 6:4-6

IV.         SINCE  FAITHFULNESS  IS  SO  IMPORTANT,  WE  MUST  BE  CONSTANTLY  STRIVING 
             TO  GROW  IN  OUR  FAITHFULNESS  TO  GOD


         A. To grow in our faithfulness, we must:
             1. first make up our minds that we are going to do it (Proverbs 23:7 -- "As he thinketh in his
                 heart, so is he"
)
             2. pray and ask the Lord to help us (Matthew 21:22 -- "And all things, whatsoever ye shall
                 ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive"
)
             3. study and meditate upon God's Word regularly (Romans 10:17)
             4. obey the Lord (James 2:17-18)
             5. put God's kingdom and His righteousness first in our lives (Matthew 6:33)
             6. always remember that God is faithful (Psalm 119:90 -- "Thy faithfulness is unto all generations").
         B. To remain faithful, we must avoid:
             1. turning our backs on our commitment to Christ (Luke 9:62 -- "no man, having put his hand
                 to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God"
)
             2. allowing our love for God to grow cold (Revelation 2:1-4)
             3. relying upon our past reputation (Revelation 3:1-2)
             4. becoming lukewarm (Revelation 3:14-16).

Conclusion:

             1. (Hebrews 10:23a) We are exhorted to "hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering."
             2. (Hebrews 10:23b) One reason why we must do this is because "He [God] is faithful
                 that promised."

             3. Let us follow the instructions given in Hebrews 12:1-2a so we may remain faithful to God.
Webmaster Gary L. Wade