Steadfast part 1
We have faith in God (in love) because He proves Himself faithful. We trust in Him because He proves Himself trustworthy. Do you see a theme developing? We can be steadfast in His love, because His love is steadfast in us. Now, according to dictionary.com "steadfast" means, "Fixed in direction; steadily directed: a steadfast gaze. Firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment, etc., as a person: a steadfast friend. Unwavering, as resolution, faith, adherence, etc. Firmly established, as an institute or a state of affairs. Firmly fixed in place or position." Now, if that doesn't describe our God--who is love, so it describes His love for us--I don't know what does. God's love for us never fails. Because it (HE) endures. There is nothing we can do (or not do) that will ever make Him change His mind about us. We are the apple of His eye. We are His favorite creation. He created us in order to be able to express Himself to us, and in us, and through us. To share the love, if I can say it that way. Now look at this: Genesis 15:6 in the Amplified Bible, "And he [Abram] believed in (trusted in, relied on, remained steadfast to) the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness (right standing with God)." We think--even in this day and age--that the Law of Moses (which was only ever given to the people of Israel, and then fulfilled and put away on the cross) is how we judge righteousness, both our own and each others. But before there was a Moses, there was Abram (Abraham). God promised Abraham a son, and Abraham believed God, and that was righteousness. Simply believing the Word of God. Believing that what God says is true. And it's interesting that Abraham got tired of waiting for God to fulfill that promise, and tried to do it himself... but grace rewrote the story. Nobody focuses too much on Abraham having a kid with his servant. The promised child coming from his wife is the story. Look at Romans 4:3, "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." And Romans 4:20, "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God." Abraham believed and that was good enough. He tried to make it happen on his own, but God didn't punish him, or disqualify him, or reneg on the promise. Because what God does isn't dependent on what we do. God's going to do what He's going to do. Period. And He wants to include us in it if at all possible. That's His heart. That's His nature. That's His love. His love doesn't come and go according to us. His love is steadfast. Unmoving. Unblinking. There is nothing you can do that will surprise God. He knows the end from the beginning. He knows you at your best and at your worst. And He still loves you more than anything. That steadfast, unwavering, longsuffering, enduring love is what equips and empowers US to love. To give what we've got by knowing we've got it. No matter what. Mistakes don't disqualify us. We are the righteousness of God in Christ. Every day. No matter what. That's not just what we do. That's who we are. And when we can stand steadfast in our true identity, that's when we can stop trying to be someone we're not and that's when we can be who we are. Who we REALLY are. Which, again, is the righteousness of God in Christ!