“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, FAITHFULNESS, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5
What do you believe the difference is between doing something out of habit and doing it out of FAITHFULNESS? Think about that for a bit…
The dictionary describes a HABIT as “an acquired behavior, pattern, regularly followed until it has become “ALMOST INVOLUNTARY.” On the other hand, FAITHFULNESS is described as “true to one’s word, promises, vows; steady in allegiance or affection, loyal, constant.” Emotional connection would be included in FAITHFULNESS as we move with purpose.
Do you see the difference between the two? Let’s look at a few examples and explore how we “roll”.
- Going to church – Do you go to church out of habit or obligation or do you FAITHFULLY go with expectations of worshipping corporately, learning from the pastor’s understanding of the Word and connecting with your church family?
- Praying – Do you pray at the dinner table or only when you want something from Him, or do you spend time communing with Him with thankfulness, praise, and confession and then petition Him. Are you FAITHFUL in your time with Him or only occasionally?
- Serving – Do you serve because you signed up for something or because you just have “always done it” or do you serve your family, friends, in your church or at your job because you are serving “as unto Him”?
- Reading the Bible – Do you read the required passages for a Bible study or Sunday School class or maybe just out of habit, or do you spend rich time digging into His Word as you seek Him?
The difference between habit and FAITHFULNESS is the motive with which we do things. Now is a good time to explore why we do what we do. It can be the difference between doing something out of mere habit or out of FAITHFULNESS to the Lord God who is so FAITHFUL to us and receiving rich blessings.
Listen to what David says about this…”The Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.” I Chron. 28:9,10
“O come, all ye FAITHFUL; joyful and triumphant…”