Many people grow up in a church with rules and regulations. If you do this or act this way, then God will love you. Then you will find favor with God. This is called legalism and when people adopt this mentality, then their view of God is harsh, mean, and untouchable. Some people spend their entire lives trying to please God… always trying not to mess up because they don’t want God to be mad at them or to turn His back on them. This is wacked out theology because this is not the God of the Bible. In fact, the prosperity gospel basically says the same thing… If you give to God or you do this, then God is obligated to bless you. Here’s the thing… God is not obligated to do anything for us.
It’s important that we truly understand who our God is. The Bible tells us and demonstrates to us that He loves us unconditionally, He protects us, He speaks to us, He carries us, He redeems us, and He guides us as a Shepherd. Here’s another vital aspect to the character of God… HE IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL. And the best news is that even when we are unfaithful, He remains faithful. Paul writes to Timothy: “If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is” (2 Timothy 2:13).
So what does this mean? It means that even when I stray, disobey, get carried away into sin, let my flesh win, or I fail to listen, He will remain faithful. Even when and if I abandon God, He never abandons me. Therefore, I can be assured that if I’m struggling to hear His voice, or if I’m feeling distant from God, it’s not because He moved. It’s because I moved, or I’ve allowed sin to reign, or I turned away. Does this mean that He doesn’t discipline me? No! Does this mean that He won’t sometimes test my faith? No. It means that He remains faithful. But this verse in 2 Timothy 2:13 explains why. Because IT’S WHO HE IS. It’s His character.
Here’s the thing… when you and I said YES to Jesus, when we repented of our sins and surrendered our life to Him, we entered into a covenant with Jesus. And this covenant is eternal, everlasting. It’s based on God’s character and Jesus’ blood. That’s right! Jesus’ blood that flows in us sealed God’s covenant with you and me. I’m sure you agree that there is not a stronger covenant than a blood covenant.
This covenant secures His faithfulness. This means that He will always be true to His Word and fulfill every promise He has given. He will always remain loyal to His people and always constant… showing up even when we don’t. He is dependable, devoted, steadfast, and trustworthy. Nothing we do can secure or endanger His love for us. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:20: “For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!”
With that said, let me encourage you to trust in your faithful God today. Believe that He is with you right now, guiding you, walking with you, and speaking your name. And… always wooing you back into fellowship with Him if you’ve drifted. So lean in and listen for Him to speak to you. His is ALWAYS FAITHFUL.