Faithless

<<disloyal, unbelieving>>

Being faithless is not being true, but disloyal to allegiances, duty or vows. Disloyalty is increasingly being manifest or outworked in society and marriages where people renege on their commitments and promises. This trait began when Adam and Eve took of the forbidden fruit. The result was they lost their close relationship with God.

Although it can also refer to having no religious faith or not believing in God (atheism), its most common biblical usage is in relation to having reservations such as when Jesus told Thomas, “Stop doubting and believe” (Jn 20:27). On another occasion He chided His followers for their lack of faith, stating that faith is a prerequisite for His power to be displayed, then healed the person that was at the centre of this ‘how heaven operates’ teaching lesson (Mk 9:19-27).

However, we should not be gullible, blindly accepting everything without question. Our faith is to be based on and believes in God’s loving and unchangeable character. “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He

If we are faithless, He will remain faithful – 2 Timothy 2:13

rewards those who earnestly seek Him” (Heb 11:6). Even if our faith falters at times, it is reassuring to know Jesus remains faithful and is always with us (Mt 28:20; Rom 8:38,39; 2 Tim 2:13; Heb 13:5).

Faith is an ongoing attitude of trusting and believing, it is not passive but active to reach out to others with the love of God, attempting and accomplishing His purpose for us and receiving from God according to His will (Rom 8:28; Eph 1:11; Phil 2:13; Jas 2:18,20,26).

We move from faithless to faith-filled as our confidence in God increases and we honour our word and obligations.

See also: atheists, belief/believe, faith.