Human civilization functions on a basis of mutual trust between different people. People have to be able to rely on others to keep promises. When we sign a contract, we assume that the other party will honor the terms of the contract. Imagine how lonely our lives would be if we could never trust or rely on other people. Imagine how chaotic society would be.

Trustworthiness fits beside the Christian virtue known as faithfulness. In the Bible, in the New Testament book of Galatians, Chapter 5 refers to faithfulness as a part of the fruit of God’s spirit as demonstrated in the way a Christian behaves. The virtue of faithfulness is one that is universally admired among all people who try to live upright lives. Even though someone might find a person who betrays another to be useful under certain circumstances, not many people really admire someone who cheats or who betrays someone else.

When a man and a woman are married, it is assumed that the husband and wife will be faithful to each other, and that they’ll refrain from having intimate relations with anyone else. Much of today’s popular music is about the faithfulness of two people who are in a love relationship.

The pop music group Journey had a hit song titled “Faithfully.” It’s about a performer who travels and cannot be with the woman he loves for long periods of time. In the song, he promises to be faithful to her, despite the pressures and temptations of being apart.

Highway run

Into the midnight sun

Wheels go round and round

You’re on my mind

Restless hearts

Sleep alone tonight

Sendin’ all my love along the wire

They say that the road ain’t no place to start a family

Right down the line

It’s been you and me

And lovin’ a music man

Ain’t always what it’s supposed to be

O Girl, you stand by me

I’m forever yours,

Faithfully

This is a song about the faithfulness of two people to each other. Something a husband and wife have a right to expect from each other. And even when it’s difficult, it’s something that is essential to keep the relationship together.

When a person accepts Jesus Christ as his or her savior, they promise to faithfully follow God’s principles as taught by Jesus, the apostles, and the prophets we read about in the Bible. Faithfulness is essential for us to preserve a relationship with God just as it is to preserve one with another person.

In future broadcasts, I’ll talk more about what it means to have a relationship with God.  This is Rob Scobey. Write to me at KNLS, Anchor Point, Alaska, USA.