Faithfulness is an important character trait. God described Moses as “faithful in all My house” (Exodus 12:7). Abraham was faithful past the age of 100 when his body was weak and frail. Joseph was faithful despite the lies against him; Daniel and his friends even in the face of being executed.
Faithfulness is so central to Yeshua’s character that it is like a second name to Him: “I saw the heavens opened and behold a white horse and the one who sat upon it was called faithful and true” (Revelation 19:11). We are called to be like Him, so faithfulness should become central to our character as well.
From the root of the Hebrew letters AMN – אמן – are derived the words for amen, faith, faithfulness, trustworthiness, integrity, moral courage, training and coaching. There is a connection between faith and faithfulness.
Faithfulness is faith that has been tested and proven over time. Faithfulness is faith that has passed the test of patience and trials. When faith goes through the process of persecution, difficulties, challenges and temptations, it develops into faithfulness.
We should look at difficulties in this life as an opportunity for character development. “…the testing of your faith leads to patience… let patience have its perfect work so that you will be made perfect” (James 1:2-4). Through this process, our faith is refined and made more precious than gold (I Peter 1:7). Faithfulness is faith refined. It is precious.
Faithfulness in this lifetime determines how we will live in the world to come. “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in little; I will make you ruler over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21). It is not joyful when we are tested, but it will produce joy in the end.
God is not “impressed” by our talents and accomplishments. However He is looking for human beings who will be faithful. At the end of our lives, we want to be found faithful. When we feel we have no strength or wisdom, we can still be faithful.
In meeting recently with some of my friends and partners at Tikkun ministries (Dan Juster, Eitan Shishkoff, David Rudolph and Paul Wilbur) with whom I have walked together for 35 years, I mentioned that even if we do no more projects, but simply maintain covenant relationships and integrity, that will be a significant testimony in itself.
We believe in supernatural miracles, healing and prophecy. It is also a great miracle when people are faithful. The last thing that Paul said about his own life was that he had “kept the faith” unto the end (II Timothy 4:7). In the light of continuing moral scandals, the world is hungry for testimony of spiritual leaders who are faithful to the Lord and to one another.
Asher serves as president of Tikkun Global family of ministries and congregations, dedicated to the dual restoration of Israel and the Church. He is founder of the Revive Israel five-fold ministry team, and oversees both Ahavat Yeshua and Tiferet Yeshua congregations in Israel.
He and his wife Betty share a passion for personal prayer and devotion, local evangelism and discipleship in Hebrew, and unity of the Body of believers worldwide.
Asher was raised in a conservative Jewish home and holds degrees from Harvard University, Baltimore Hebrew College and Messiah Biblical Institute. He has authored numerous books, tracts and articles.