Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

The very word "trustworthiness" indicates that it is not dependent on ourselves alone, but also on the perceptions of others. The most that we can do is to establish a known record through our actions (rather than just our claims about ourselves) of consistently speaking words that we can prove, or that others can verify (and, hopefully, attest about to others) as true, as well as dealing with others in a manner characterized by honesty and fairness, where we keep promises and actually do things that we say we will do. This applies to our dealings both with other people and with God. 

(As indicated above, this record must be consistent, since any lapses will have effects that will persist far into the future, with respect to giving a reason to doubt or question us, even if we admit our fault or try to make amends for it.)

August 26 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Grant Abbott Child of Father, Follower of Son, Student of Spirit

As Christians we must first learn to be trustworthy to God through the training we receive from our resident teacher, the Holy Spirit. When this character trait of Christ called “trustworthiness” is developed in our lives, it will naturally flow over into our relationships with other people, because God will use it to bring glory to his name.

Paul gives Timothy several instructions and examples to help him build trustworthiness into his own life. Here is a summary:
1) don’t let our conscience become seared by the false teachings that come through hypocritical liars
2) receive everything God created with thanksgiving and consecrate it with the word of God and prayer
3) nourish our spiritual life on the truths of the faith and the good teaching we have followed
4) have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales [conspiracy theories today]
5) train ourselves to be godly, because godliness holds value for all things, with promises for this present life and the life to come
6) labour and strive because we have put our hope in the living God who is our Saviour
7) be an example for other believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity
8) use our spiritual gifts to help and bless others in need
9) be diligent in these matters; give ourselves wholly to them, so that others can see our progress
10) watch our life and doctrine closely and persevere in them

August 27 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report