Dependable: The Foundation of Faithful Character and Divine Reliability

Dependability represents the quality of being utterly reliable, faithful, and trustworthy in all commitments and relationships. This essential character trait reflects both divine perfection and the aspiration for human excellence.

God's Perfect Dependability

God is utterly dependable for the Bible says, "God is not a man that He should lie…Does He promise and not fulfill" (Num 23:19). "Not one word has failed of all the good promises He gave…" (1 Kgs 8:56). "My covenant I will not break, nor alter what my lips have uttered…Everything will be accomplished" (Ps 89:34; Mt 5:18). This quality of His being 100% reliable and dependable extends out into the future too because "God is the same yesterday, today and forever" (Heb 13:8). He is totally trustworthy.

As His children, we should have the same characteristics. This divine standard of dependability serves as our ultimate example and aspiration in character development. When we reflect God's nature through our reliability, we become living testimonies of His faithfulness to a watching world.

Am I dependable?

Cultivating Dependable Character

This good character quality is established over time with repeated opportunities to reinforce being loyal, regardless of circumstances especially when the novelty of a repeated task wears off. However, like with temptation, a failure can tarnish a person's reputation. Dependable people keep their word, they take ownership of commitments and outcomes; this reflects in their trustworthiness, honesty, and responsibility. Such people also know their limits by not over-committing to what they know they can't fulfill.

Living Out Dependability

The practical application of dependability requires conscious effort and self-discipline, including punctuality by respecting others' time through timeliness. It involves careful consideration of commitments before making them and faithful execution once promised. Can others rely on us – do we honour our word? This question serves as a daily check on our dependability quotient. The cumulative effect of consistent dependable behaviour builds trust and strengthens relationships, both with God and with fellow humans.

Dependability isn't merely about completing tasks; it's about building a reputation of reliability that precedes us. When we consistently demonstrate this quality, we create an atmosphere of trust where others feel secure in their interactions with us.

Dependability and Christian Witness

Our dependability, or lack thereof, directly impacts our effectiveness as witnesses for Christ. When non-believers observe Christians who fail to keep their promises, arrive late, or abandon commitments, it undermines the credibility of the gospel we proclaim. Our character serves as the first "Bible" many people read – if our lives don't demonstrate the reliability we attribute to God, why should they trust our message about His faithfulness?

Conversely, consistent dependability in a Christian's life provides tangible evidence of God's transforming power. When we honour our word in business dealings, maintain commitments in relationships, and demonstrate reliability in community service, we reflect God's character to a skeptical world. This consistency builds bridges for gospel conversations, as people become more receptive to hearing about a God whose followers actually live like Him.

Our life may be the only Bible some people ever read. Make sure it tells the truth about God's faithfulness through our dependability.

The apostle Paul understood this connection when he wrote, "We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited" (2 Cor 6:3). Our dependability removes obstacles to faith and creates opportunities for others to experience God's reliability through our faithful witness.

Reflection and Application:

Examine your track record with commitments – have you consistently followed through on promises made to God and others?
Consider areas where you may be over-committing; practice setting realistic boundaries that enable true dependability.
Reflect on how God's perfect dependability has impacted your life – in what specific ways has He been faithful to His promises?
Identify one practical step this week to demonstrate greater dependability in your relationships or responsibilities.