A Meditation on Faithfullness

What does it mean to be "Faithful?"

We all have an intuitive understanding of what the word "Faithful" means. We remain at a friend's side through both good times and bad. We show up for work through the rough economy, when the bonuses, raises and comission checks are not as large as we had hoped for. We don't run to the arms of a lover just because our marriage isn't going perfectly. Faithfullness has to do with loyalty, allegiance, and remaining true to your promises come what may.

The word "Faithful" is a combination of the words "Faith" and "Full." To be faithful is to be full of faith. If one is full of faith, one cannot possibly have room for anything else, because by definition, to be faith-ful is to be full. Mary was "Full of grace" leaving no room for sin. Satan is "Full of lies" and he has no truth in him. And so one who is "Full of faith" leaves no room for doubt. One who is faithful has no disloyalty. Those who are faithful do not have wavering hearts.

I am prompt, I do not hesitate in keeping your commands. Though the snares of the wicked surround me, your teaching I do not forget. (Psalm 119:60-61)

Faithfulness is simply the fullness of faith. It is not only an inclination of the heart and mind, but is an inclinatin of the will as well, and more than just that. Faithfulness implies action. Faithfulness is more than a firm resolve or having the will to remain loyal; it is the act of actually remaining loyal.  Faithfulness is not only the resolve to defend that to which we are faithful but the actual defense should a threat arise. The "Fullness of faith" is not only a resolve to remain loyal should a temptation to disloyalty arise, but actually remaining loyal in the face of very real temptation. To act a certain way or to remain in a certain state over time according to one's loyalty is the heart of faithfulness. If being faithful inclines the heart, mind and will toward a state of faithfulness, then faithfulness itself is the acting out of that inclination in our daily lives.

This brings us back to the original question, that is, what it means to "Be faithful."

To be means to exist. Being faithful therefor, means existing in a state whereby we are full of faith, whereby our intellect, heart and will are ordered to act without hesitation based on our loyalty. Faithfulness means existing in a state where we promptly do those things which our loyalty demands and where we do them repeatedly over time. The answer to the question is, I think we can say, that "Being faithful" has two aspects; an interior inclination of the heart and will to act according to our loyalty and exterior acts where those inclinations according to the fullness of faith are realized in our daily lives.  

So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Indeed someone might say, "You have faith and I have works." Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works. You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe that and tremble. Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works. (James 2:17-22)

It's interesting to hear Evangelical arguments about salvation by faith alone. Sola fide Evangelicals tell us that our works are a result of our faith. Catholics are accused of emphasizing a need to work toward salvation while ignoring the role of faith in the process. Putting aside the misconceptions about Catholic belief with regard to salvation for just a moment, a proper understanding of the phrase "being faithful" shows us that there are two inseperable components to faith; the interior inclination and the exterior acts and this is why James can rightly say that Abraham's faith was active along with his works and that his faith was completed by his works."

So then, my beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work. Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent... (Philippians 2:12-15)

Paul acknowledges both the interior nature of faith's "Desire" and the exterior nature of faith's "Work" when he writes, "both to desire and to work." But Paul gets to the very heart of our salvation, wihch is also the Catholic view on salvation, when he writes, "For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you" to produce both inseperable components of faith, both the desire and the work.  

Works salvation has always been denied by the Catholic Church, and so has the idea of salvation by faith alone, at least as it is understood by modern Evangelicalism. The Catholic Church as always taught, exactly consistent with Paul's statement in Philippians 2 above, that salvation is through grace, for God is the one who works in you both to desire and to work.

Both the desire and the work are sola gratia - by grace alone. It was evidenced through Abraham. It was acknowledged by King David in the Psalms. It was Jame's position, it was Paul's position, and it is the Catholic position. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

On the same token, don't let anyone tell you that the works are not important. James called these people ignoramuses.


-Tim-