GOD’S FAITHFULNESS TO HIS PEOPLE
“….the…faithful love of the Lord, never ends...” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT). “...His faithful promises are your armor and protection…” (Psalms 91 NLT).
“...If we confess our sins, HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness…” (1 John 1:9 KJV). “…God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship (bondship) of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord…” (1 Corinthians 1:9 KJV). “… he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT). “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).
“…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).
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“… he remains ...(STAYS)...faithful, for he cannot deny who he is…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT). This means God, the Holy Spirit, sticks to or adheres to his WORD. God, the Holy Spirit, will KEEP every covenant promise he has made with EACH one of his people.
God, the Holy Spirit, will NEVER wane, waiver, or weaken on ANY responsibility or obligation of his position as SOVEREIGN RULER to his people. “…He has granted to [his people]… His precious and magnificent promises…” (2 Peter 1:4 NASB). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “...Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever…” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).
God, the Holy Spirit, is immutably TRUSTWORTHY! “…All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are TRUSTWORTHY (dependable)….” (PSALMS 111:7 NLT).
He KEEPS his WORD to his people. “…God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship (covenant unity through) ... his Son Jesus Christ our Lord (God’s living Word)…” (1 Corinthians 1:9 KJV).
Faithfulness is an attribute of God, the Holy Spirit. He NEVER changes. “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).
God, the Holy Spirit’s FAITHFULNESS is both an ATTRIBUTE and a righteous STANDARD which expresses and demonstrates his commitment to his “covenant unity” people. “...His faithful promises are your armor and protection…” (Psalms 91 NLT).
God, the Holy Spirit, himself, the KING of kings, the LORD of lords, and the GOD of gods, CHOOSES, on his OWN sovereign volition, to be FAITHFUL. He willingly BOUNDS himself, faithfully, to his people.
FAITHFULNESS is a HOLY STANDARD that God sticks to and adheres to and it is an ATTRIBUTE that is a WITNESS of his HOLY nature. “...God is faithful... (HE is the STANDARD) ...” (1 Corinthians 1:9 KJV). “…But the fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness ...(It is an ATTRIBUTE of God’s)...” (Galatians 5:22-23).
“...Great is his faithfulness... (both his standard and attribute)...” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT).
“… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). God, the Holy Spirit “IS” who he SAYS he is. “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). God will NEVER change his HOLY STANDARD or HOLY ATTRIBUTE regarding faithfulness. “… he remains ...(STAYS) ... faithful …(it is his STANDARD)...” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT). “…he cannot deny who he is…(it is his ATTRIBUTE)...” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).
To BE any other way than FAITHFUL would mean God, the Holy Spirit, would have to DENY who he is and he won’t, because he NEVER changes. “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).
Not only does God, the Holy Spirit, set the STANDARDS for FAITHFULNESS, but he willingly BOUNDS himself to those standards too. “...Jesus Christ (THE WORD) is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV). ““... I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).
Thus, God, the Holy Spirit, not only sets the STANDARD for faithfulness, but he “IS” the example, definition, witness, personification, manifestation, and living representative of FAITHFULNESS. “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “…there is none like unto thee…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV).
God, the Holy Spirit, is TRUE to his standards of holy faithfulness and he is true to his character. [God] … is Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you] … take refuge; Your shield and the horn of Your salvation, YOUR stronghold.…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB).
“...God is faithful...” (1 Corinthians 1:9 KJV).
“...The lord [God, the Holy Spirit]... is GOOD…” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV). “..…there is none good but one, that is, God” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV). “…I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).
Within the “covenant unity” relationship with God, the Holy Spirit, his people make mistakes, they struggle with the old nature, they are imperfect, they are weak, and they fail, but through it all, HE never changes. God remains faithful. ““…If we confess our sins, he is FAITHFUL and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness…” (1 John 1:9 KJV). … he remains ...(STAYS) ... faithful …(it is his STANDARD)...” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).
To “remain” faithful means God, the Holy Spirit doesn’t LEAVE, walk away, vacate, move on, divorce, separate, or break away from his covenant promises to his people or to them, no matter what.
The SECURITY of his unconditional LOVE, his amazing GRACE, and his endless MERCY is linked to his FAITHFULNESS, which is BASED on God, the Holy Spirit’s IMMUTABLE standards and attributes.
The SECURITY OF the FAITHFULNESS of God, the Holy Spirit, in the “covenant unity” relationship with HIM is that he doesn’t change and thus, WILL NEVER LEAVE “HIS” PEOPLE! “…I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “…I am with [my people]... always, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV).
God will “…Never leave nor forsake [his people]…” (Hebrews 13:5 KJV). “…Behold, I am with … [my people] and will keep … [them] whithersoever [they]… goest…I will not leave [my people] ..." (Genesis 28:15 ASV).
The SECURITY OF FAITHFULNESS in the “covenant unity” relationship with God, the Holy Spirit, is that he promises, his people, he WILL be the Lord, their God!! “…… I am God, and there is none like me…" (Isaiah 46:9-10 KJV). “… “I AM” WHO I AM…” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “… [God] … is Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you] … take refuge; Your shield and the horn of Your salvation, YOUR stronghold.…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB).
“ …My people …I will PUT my SPIRIT in you and you will LIVE …Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord...’” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).
“…so you will know that [GOD “IS”] the Lord…” (Exodus 10:1-2 NLT).
“…Then you will know that [GOD is] the Lord your God…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT).
God’s people can say, “this is MY GOD” The God who has expressed and demonstrated, more than abundantLY, his unconditional LOVE, his undeserving GRACE, his immutably MERCY, and his UTTER faithfulness to mankind and to each and every one of his children/people/citizens/ambassadors/ and redeemed.
Every opportunity, benefit, gift, blessing, and interaction with his presence, goodness, and power is BASED on God, the Holy Spirit’s, decision and CHOICE to express and demonstrated his LOVE toward wretched mankind.
In return God, the Holy Spirit asks his people to trust in him, depend upon him, and KEEP his commandments.
In biblical history, just like NOW, we can see God’s people didn’t listen to him and did not remain faithful either.
“ …[God’s people said:]... will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).
“…[God said:].... my people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. ….” (JEREMIAH 5:23 NLT). “…My people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).
“…They have turned away and ABANDONED me….” (JEREMIAH 5:23 NLT).
“...[YOU]… FORGOT all about ME,” says the Lord…” (Hosea 2:13 NLT). “…for years on end my people have FORGOTten ME…” (Jeremiah 2:32 NLT).
“…They ABANDONED ME and did not obey my word….” (JEREMIAH 16:11 NLT). “…They ABANDONED the Lord… they turned their backs on him….” (2 Chronicles 29:6 NLT).
“… he remains ...(STAYS) ... faithful …” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT). “…he cannot deny who he is…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).
“…. Again and again he rescued them, but they chose to rebel against him, and they were finally destroyed by their [own] ...sin. Even so, he pitied them in their distress and listened to their cries. He remembered his covenant with them and relented because of his unfailing love…” (Psalms 106:42-48 NLT). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “
God STAYED faithful. “…the righteous CRY and Lord the heareth and delivereth them out of ALL their troubles…” (Psalms 34:17 KJV). “…Again and again [God, the Holy Spirit] rescued them…” (Psalm 106:39-43 NLT).
Because of God’s faithfulness, he repeatedly rescued them. “… Their enemies (personal SINS that oppress them or people oppressors) [would crush] them and [bring] them under their cruel power. Again and again [God] rescued them, but they [continually]... chose to rebel against him... [until]... they were finally destroyed by their sin…” (Psalm 106:39-43 NLT).
While God is immutably FAITHFUL to his people, they must remember HE is also immutably FAITHFUL to his WORD.
His WORD SAYS: “… we are each responsible for our own conduct …Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit…” (Galatians 6:5-8 NLT).
“... Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God...” (Galatians 5:19-21 NASB).
"…REPENT AND RETURN, “SO” that your sins may be wiped away…” (Acts 3:19 NASB). “…EXCEPT YE REPENT, ye shall all likewise PERISH…” (Luke 13:3 KJV).
“…The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes ...Your servant is warned. …”(Psalm 19:7-11 NASB).
“…For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning...” (Romans 15:4 KJV). “...Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition (WARNING)...” (1 Corinthians 10:11 KJV).
“… Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man (woman) soweth, that shall he (she) also reap…” (Galatians 6:7 KJV).
God, the Holy Spirit, KNOWS his STANDARD and ATTRIBUTE of FAITHFULNESS. He is a COMPASSIONATE God so he informs mankind and his people AHEAD of time what his faithful WORD says. “… The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness…” (Exodus 34:6 NLT). “… I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose…” (Exodus 33:19 NLT).
“… The Lord was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his [faithfulness to his]... covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet…” (2 Kings 13:23 KJV).
However, “…The Lord, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people…” (2 Chronicles 36:15 NLT).
“…he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not…” (Psalms 78:38 KJV).
“… Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth…” (Psalms 86:15 KJV).
“…The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love…” (Psalms 103:8 NLT). “… The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him…” (Psalms 103:13 NLT).
“… He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion…” (Psalms 111:4 KJV). “… Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous…” (Psalms 112:4 KJV).
“… the Lord will give justice to his people and have compassion on his servants…” (Psalms 135:14 NLT). “…The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation…” (Psalms 145:9 NLT).
“… The Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help…” (Isaiah 30:18 NLT). “… The Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on them in their suffering…” (Isaiah 49:13 NLT).
“… with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord, your Redeemer…” (Isaiah 54:8 NLT). “…It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not…” (Lamentations 3:22 KJV).
“...Again and again [God] rescued them, but they [continually]... chose to rebel against him... [until]... they were finally destroyed by their sin…” (Psalm 106:39-43 NLT).
“... Everyone (no exceptions) who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness ... the one who practices sin is of the devil ... No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone (no exceptions) who does not practice righteousness is not of GOD...” (1 John 3:7-10 NASB).
“… he remains ...(STAYS) ... faithful (to the “standards” of his word) …” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT). “…he cannot deny who he is (so there are “no” exceptions)…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).
“…EXCEPT YE REPENT, ye shall all likewise PERISH…” (Luke 13:3 KJV).
The MOST important FACT about God, the Holy Spirit’s immutable FAITHFULNESS to HIS STANDARDS and his CHARACTER is the BENEFIT it provides for HIS “REDEEMED” people, children, citizens, holy nation, chosen, special possessions, or those who belong to him.
“…Because you belong to him, …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).
“... thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light ...” (Colossians 1:12 NLT). “… AS MANY as received him…” (John 1:12 KJV).
“...Anyone (NO EXCEPTIONS) who does not live righteously and does not love other believers DOES "NOT' BELONG TO GOD...” (1 John 3:7-10 NLT).
“…This [was ALL]… God’s plan: [Everyone]… who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. [They]…are [ALL]… part of the same body, and enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus...” (Ephesians 3:6 NLT).
“…those who do not have the [indwelling Holy]... Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.….” (Romans 8:8-11 NLT).
“… because the Lord loves His people …” (2 Chronicles 2:11 NASB). “…God is faithful, by whom [his people]... were called unto the fellowship (covenant unity) of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord…” (1 Corinthians 1:9 KJV).
“…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “… Indeed, He loves the people…” (Deuteronomy 33:3 NASB). “…God’s love has been poured out INto …[his people’s]… hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to [them]…” (Romans 5:5 NIV).
“… [God, the Holy Spirit, has]... loved [them]... with an everlasting love; Therefore [God, the Holy Spirit has]... drawn [them]... with lovingkindness…” (Jeremiah 31:3 NASB).
GOD SAID TO ABRAHAM “… I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed…” (Genesis 12:3 KJV).
AND TO THE the CONVERTED “in” CHRIST, God SAYS: “…Christ hath redeemed us ….That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith…” (Galatians 3:13-14 KJV).
God’s spiritual BLESSINGS depend STRICTLY upon his “covenant unity” relationship with YOU.
There are GENERAL BLESSINGS that are bestowed upon the righteous and unrighteous, but there are SPECIFIC BLESSINGS that are bestowed ONLY upon the righteous.
GENERAL blessings are things such as air, sunshine, rain, resources of the earth, the OPPORTUNITY to be saved, and physical life, which are bestowed on the righteous and unrighteous. “…He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous…” (Matthew 5:45 NASB).
SPECIFIC blessings such as ALL the “unmerited,” abounding, unlimited FAVORS FROM God are bestowed upon his children “IN” Christ Jesus. “… [They, those “IN” Christ]… enjoy the promise of blessings because THEY BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS…” (Ephesians 3:6 NLT).
Blessings or “unmerited” favor from God are expressed and demonstrated through God’s INDWELLING presence, goodness, and working power. “…. [God’s people] ... are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that [their]... great power is from God, not from [them]selves…” (2 Corinthians 4:5-7 NLT). “…[People will]… know (witness) that everything [God’s people have]… IS A GIFT “FROM” [God, the Holy Spirit]…” (John 17:6-9 NLT).
“...when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe...” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 NIV). “ …[God’s people]... have this treasure “in” earthen (human) vessels…” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7 KJV).
God is the BLESSOR and HIS people are the RECIPIENTS. “…Your blessing be upon “Your people!” Selah…” (Psalm 3:8 NASB). “…The LORD “will” BLESS his people with peace…” (Psalm 29:11 KJV).
“…We are HIS PEOPLE...” (Psalms 100:3 KJV). WHO? “…Those who BELONG TO Christ Jesus …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…Because YOU BELONG to him … (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them DO NOT BELONG TO HIM at all.)” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).
“… [Everyone]… who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. [They]…are [ALL]… part of the same body, and enjoy the promise of blessings because THEY BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS…” (Ephesians 3:6 NLT). “….You (also) belong to God…” (1 John 4:4 NLT). “…He (she) that is joined unto the Lord is ONE SPIRIT [with God, the Holy Spirit]…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).
“… [He sent the] …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT).
God is immutably FAITHFUL to those who are in a “covenant unity” relationship with HIM. “….those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them DO NOT BELONG TO HIM at all.)” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).
Those who BELONG to God, the Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ are the ones who will SHARE in the INHERITANCE of gifts and blessings. They are HIS CHILDREN and BELONG to God, the Holy Spirit. “… [Everyone] … who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. [They]…are [ALL]… part of the same body, and enjoy the promise of … [provisions] … because THEY BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS…” (Ephesians 3:6 NLT). “… [They, those “IN” Christ]… enjoy the promise of blessings because THEY BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS…” (Ephesians 3:6 NLT).
God’s FAITHFULNESS “NEVER” leaves or forsakes his people. “…We (redeemed)... are HIS PEOPLE...” (Psalms 100:3 KJV). WHO? “…Those who BELONG TO Christ Jesus …” (Galatians 5 NLT).
GOD is immutably FAITHFUL to “HIS” redeemed people, “…Because [they]... BELONG to him … (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them DO NOT BELONG TO HIM at all.)” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).
“…what fellowship [can God, the Holy Spirit of] righteousness [have]... with unrighteousness? And what communion [can God, the Holy Spirit of]... light [have]...with darkness?...” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15 KJV).
“…[God, the Holy Spirit] … is faithful, by whom [the redeemed]... were called unto the fellowship (a “covenant unity” relationship) … [with]… his Son Jesus Christ our Lord …” (1 Corinthians 1:9 KJV).
“… “God[‘s faithfulness is]... with [his people]…” (Matthew 1:23 NASB). “…God has said “Never will I leave [my people without MY FAITHFULNESS); never will I forsake [them]…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “…I AM WITH [my people]... ALWAYS, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV). “…Behold, I AM WITH… [my people] … and … I WILL NOT LEAVE [them] …." (Genesis 28:15 ASV). “… The LORD thy God …will not fail [his people], nor forsake the[m]…” (Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV). “… Behold, I am with … [my people, faithfully] and will keep … [them] whithersoever [they]… goest…I will not leave [them] ..." (Genesis 28:15 ASV).
“…[God, the Holy Spirit] … is faithful…” (1 Corinthians 1:9 KJV).
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