One of my sons presented the following essay at last Sunday's dinner, and I thought it was worth sharing. What would life be like if you truly believed these words?

Hebrews 10 says of Jesus: “For he is faithful that promised.” (Hebrews 10:23)

What does it mean that Jesus is faithful?

The word faithful is “pistos”. This word is sometimes translated as believe or believer. Sometimes people understand it to mean full of faith. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines faithfulness as loyalty, truth, or strict obedience. However, this word is often used in relation to God’s promises. For example: “Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.” (Hebrews 11:11)

Jesus is faithful because he keeps his promises. When we keep our word, we are reliable. We can be trusted. We are true to our word. Since Jesus keeps his word, he is reliable. Paul wrote: “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13) Most People are not faithful and don't believe. However, Jesus was faithful. “He cannot deny himself” means he will be true to his word and his character

Jesus is reliable in several ways. Paul said: “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3) Jesus will always help us grow. Paul also wrote: “But God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) We can trust that the experiences that he gives us will be ones that we can bear. John wrote: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) If we repent, Jesus will always forgive us. Finally, Moses told the Israelites that the Lord “is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.” (Deuteronomy 7:9) Because Jesus is faithful he will keep his promises and give mercy to those who obey.

Since Jesus is faithful, we can trust him. Peter wrote: “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” (1 Peter 4:19) When we are suffering we can trust Jesus because he is true to his word and is faithful. We can know the experiences he gives us are to help us grow. This can help us not become discouraged or give up hope.

The word faithful is “pistos”. Jesus is faithful because he keeps his promises. Jesus is faithful or reliable in several ways. He always helps us grow and won’t give us experiences we cannot bear. Since Jesus is faithful, we can trust him.