The Faithfulness of God

Transfer of Values of Faithfulness

Confident He will help me where and when I need it.

Rev. Paul J. Bucknell

God's Faithfulness & Video | Trust & Faith | Transfer Values | Faithful Plan | Discerning | Reminders | Questions
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Knowing God Series Index

Series Introduction| Knowing God | The Revelatory God | Goodness of God | Holiness of God | Power of God | Omnipresent God | Exalted God | Faithfuness of God | Wisdom of God | Mercy of God |Wrath of God | Love of God | Sovereignty of God | Providence of God

Purpose: Transfer of Values of Faithfulness shows the steps from having knowledge of God's faithfulness to having confidence and peace in God's faithfulness.

Transfer of Values of Faithfulness

It is critical that what we theologically understand in our mind about God and His faithfulness is transferred to our beliefs. There are three kinds of value transfers that help us trace those important steps from head to heart!

(1) Observing God’s faithfulness

Changed begins when we see the Lord showing us what faithfulness is. God took great effort to be faithful and went out of the way to reveal it to us. The scripture emphasizes man’s obstinate ways to highlight God’s great faithfulness.

This is the message of grace. God carried out His saving plans despite all the things man has done–even to reject the Messiah. I like King David’s designation, ...designated by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because His lovingkindness is everlasting” (1 Chronicles 16:41).

(2) Understand the importance of faithfulness

When we begin to see how important faithfulness is to the Lord, then we begin to think about how we might or might not keep promises, appointments, etc. His faithfulness slowly begins to be part of the way we do things. It shapes us in these two ways.

The first was already mentioned–understanding the importance of faithfulness to God. Because we serve Him, we will see how important it is to Him. We will begin to esteem this trait as important.

The second happens when we see how important faithfulness is for our lives. This is where the values are transferred. Respect can go a long way: we do things His way to please Him. But for it to become very deeply integrated in our soul, then we must deeply believe its importance.

Being faithful becomes more important than money. We rather go and loose money on the deal than to be dishonest. Integrity becomes all important. “A good name is to be more desired than great riches, Favor is better than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1).

(3) Trusting Him to help us carry out His will

When we consider the importance of faithfulness, we will be confronted with what seems an insolvable problem. We simply do not have the power or authority to control our circumstances.

It is sufficient here to simply say that our trust in Him to help us be faithful. This will require the way we approach various situations.

For example, we will be more cautious to what we can say or do. We will better see our weaknesses and our evil hearts. Our desire to be honest and faithful to our words will shape our actions.

God, however, will also make His power available to us. He has done that by the many promises to answer whatever we ask. Our faithfulness will depend on His faithfulness.

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you” (John 15:16).

God ties our fruitfulness to what we ask God for. Our good works are totally God-dependent. When this confidence grows, we increasingly focus on God’s faithfulness as the backbone of our faithfulness.

As my weakness with age and challenge of ministry increases, I find that this is all the more necessary. What a beautifully liberating thought that God works His marvelous plan through our frail and limited lives!

How could He do it! Why He would ever do it! Simply amazing.

Next => God's Faithful Plan

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