He Is Faithful

One of my favorite scriptures is 1st Corinthians 1:9 in the Amplified Bible.

"God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."

The first part of this verse states that God is "faithful." The Amplified Bible in describing two of the ways God is faithful states, He is … "reliable and trustworthy" but doesn't stop there. It goes on with the word therefore (or because of these two) He is … "ever true to His word."

It is my understanding that the Apostle Paul either wrote in Greek or his writings were first translated into Greek and then copied and shared with the various churches around the Mediterranean Sea and Asia Minor.

As I often do, I compare the English with the Greek and usually find that the Greek rendering of a word has more examples describing the meaning … which makes it easier for vocabulary challenged individuals like me to understand.

The Greek had one more meaning of the word faithful that has been left out of the Scriptures' depiction of God, and I know not why. It fits right in with His character and nature. The word is … "sure" … meaning "steady, stable, strong and sure footed."

You can count on God, He's steady, the same every day; and strong … you won't wear down His patience. He's stable like a rock, you can stand on Him … in fact He wants you to. He is sure footed … you can be sure of His steps as He guides you through life, whether in the valley or on the mountain top. He can be … "depended on."

This verse in the King James Bible uses the word "fellowship" instead of the word "companionship" as in the Amplified Version. So, thinking these two words don't really mean the same thing to me, I again checked the original Greek it was written in to find out which one was the closest to the original.

The word fellowship in the original is "koinonia" and means … partnership or (literally) participation.

Paul states that God has called us not just to a "fellowship" but into "participation" with His Son … Jesus our Lord.

Notice the word … "with" … His Son.

We just don't get to hang around with Jesus in fellowship, although that is a wonderful truth; and we should fellowship with Him. But even more so we are supposed to enter into partnership with Him and participate in the things Jesus is doing.

I don't know why, but God has asked believers to partner with Him in ministry. One way is through prayer. That is one of the main ways we have to participate with God … getting involved with prayer, doing spiritual warfare on behalf of others.

Oh, there are other ways, like teaching the Word or reaching out to the lost and hurting humanity all around us as well as any other type of ministry God leads us into. Things like feeding the hungry or giving a warm coat to someone without one. Or as simple a deed as giving a cup of cold water in His name, or showing the love and mercy of God to a stranger.

Partnership and participation with God's Son … Jesus Christ our Lord. That's what Paul said.

Matthew 7:7-11 … "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"

Jesus said … "Ask for bread, God won't give you a stone." In other words, be confident in His will for you knowing that everything He allows in your life proceeds from a heart of love.

But what if you don't get it right away? "Ask and keep on asking, knock and keep on knocking, seek and keep on seeking."

I love Psalms 91 … well, who doesn't, right? In it you will find …

The safety of the believer …
Confidence in God …
How he is defended and preserved …
And in the last three verses, what God promises to him …

Psalm 91:14-16 … "Because he (that's you if you choose it to be) hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him, and show him My salvation."

Amos 3:3 states … "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"

Participation with God means you need to agree with Him and His Word … and that Word says …

"God is faithful … and can be depended on."


Comments welcome.