Reliability

Are you trustworthy, dependable, and responsible? Reliable people are the ones you can trust to get the job done. When your mother needs the dishes washed, the table set, the trash taken out – can she call on you knowing that you will do a good job? Can your dad depend on you when he needs help? How about your teacher at school? What about your friends? How about you? Are you reliable to them?

Is God reliable?  It’s in the Bible, “For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does” (Psalm 33:4, NKJ). We all need to follow God’s example and become more like Him. Paul the Apostle wrote, “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV).  That sure sounds reliable to me.

Okay, so we know God is reliable; but what about me? How can I become more reliable? Listen to this quote from the book of Galatians: “But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness [or reliability], gentleness and self control” (Galatians 5:22 TLB). In other words reliability is the result of the Holy Spirit living in you!

Is it possible for Christians to be reliable? Paul had this counsel for the church at Ephesians. He told them, “Instead, we will lovingly follow the truth at all times—speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly—and so become more and more in every way like Christ who is the Head of His body, the Church” (Ephesians 4:15-16, TLB). Can you imagine what it would be like if people were always reliable when it came to being truthful in what they say and do? This seems like what Paul had in mind. It also seems like what Jesus had in mind when He gave us His example of reliability and truthfulness.

How does God show His reliability to those who are reliable? How does He show His faithfulness to those who are faithful? In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus states, “…But he who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22 NKJV). True, Jesus told us that we would be hated in that same verse, but in the end we will be saved because of our standing firm, our reliability!

Am I expected to be reliable when I’m suffering? In the last book of the Bible we read, “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10, NIV). I don’t know about you, but I’m really looking forward to that crown of life. With God’s help we need to be faithful and reliable when we are put to the tests the devil throws our way.

Does God really expect me of all people to be reliable? After all God knows everything about me. He knows how unreliable I am. Hear what Jesus tells us all, “Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:21, NIV). The answer is, “Yes, God wants you to be reliable!” However, look at the rewards. He will make you a ruler over many things! Did you catch that? And He will help you to be faithful, to be reliable! Wow!

Okay, this is all well and good for everyone that’s reliable; but what about someone like me with a past that’s been…well…not too reliable? Check out this Bible verse- “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJ). It’s only when we realize our weakness that we receive God’s strength. On my own I’m not reliable. I need God’s grace to become His reliable child.