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The Virtue of Reliability

10/27/2024


Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

 

Inventions and technology have made our lives better, easier, faster. They are tremendous blessings … when they work. They are a source of our greatest frustrations when they don’t. We go out to our car to start it, and the battery is dead, or the tire is flat. Frustration. I have thought many times, “Why don’t you do what you were made to do. Just fulfill your purpose.”

 

I want to talk about a virtue this week that doesn’t get enough recognition, and that is reliability. We live in a world of things that we rely on, on people that we rely on. In a world where commitments are sometimes treated casually and promises are easily broken, the virtue of reliability is more important than ever.

 

Reliability is a two-faced coin: we depend on others and others depend on us. It is not just about showing up on time or doing what we said we would do—although those things are certainly part of it. But there are deeper reservoirs to reliability. At its core, reliability reflects God’s faithfulness in us. It is about being consistent, trustworthy, and dependable, and these qualities reflect the character of God Himself.

 

Proverbs 25:13 tells us, “Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.” This verse paints a picture of how deeply reliability blesses others. Just as a cool breeze refreshes workers during the heat of harvest, a reliable person brings peace, security, and joy to those around them.

 

The Bible teaches that God's nature is reliable — He keeps His promises and never fails us. As believers, we are called to imitate this divine faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 reads, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” This verse teaches us that God’s reliability is consistent and dependable, giving us confidence in His promises.

 

God calls us to demonstrate faithfulness and dependability in our relationships, work, and our walk in spirit. A reliable person brings peace and stability to others. But it is not easy. Proverbs 20:6 tells us, “Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable?” While many people claim to be dependable, true reliability is a rare and valuable trait.

 

In Psalm 15 we are asked, “Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter into your presence?” Among other virtues, such as doing what is right, speaking the truth, and refusing to gossip or say mean things, is someone who keeps their promises even when it hurts.  God values reliability – doing what we say we would do. Do what we were made to do – to love each other. And when we don’t do this, we cause frustration and chaos.

 

Proverbs 10:26 describes it this way: “As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so are sluggards to those who send them.” This means that unreliable people cause trouble, harm, and frustration for those who depend on them. 

 

James 1:6-8 teaches us, “…be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.”  A person who is not consistent and dependable cannot be trusted to carry out their duties. The world creates unreliability, and unreliability gives birth to distrust.

 

This is the message of the Aesop Fable about the boy who cried ‘wolf’. The first time he lied brought benefit because he was lonely, and people came. The second time brought people who learned that he was a liar. The third time, he was telling the truth, but no one believed him, and the town lost their sheep to a wolf. The moral of the story: a liar will not be believed even if he is telling the truth. An unreliable person cannot be depended upon, even if they suddenly decide to act responsibly.

 

In contrast, we are asked to attune our hearts to God. Colossians 3:23-24 teaches this: “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” Even if working in the world, work as if for Christ. When we work reliably, we reflect God’s faithfulness and bring Him glory.

 

Faithfulness brings blessings—both spiritually and relationally. A reliable person earns trust and respect and ultimately reflects God's character. As Proverbs 3:3-4 teaches - “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” Reliability leads to a good reputation and favor from both God and the world. Dependable individuals become pillars in their families and communities.

 

The virtue of reliability is not dependent upon quantity or the value of something. Reliable people are just that – reliable. Their actions and decisions are not contingent upon worldly standards or values. Luke 16:10 says it this way: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” 

 

We have all experienced people who were unreliable. We have hired a plumber to fix something, and it broke in a week. We look elsewhere next time. We trusted someone to do something, and they failed. We may not be able to fire them, because they are family. But we learn quickly who we can trust and who we can love, but not rely on. We love them, but we don’t ask anything of them or depend on them.

 

We can grow our reliability. First, by developing our relationship with God. Trustworthiness grows from spiritual maturity. As we lean on God, we become more faithful and reliable to others. Reliable people take ownership of their actions. If we fail to meet a commitment, then take responsibility and make it right. If we fall short, admit it and apologize instead of making excuses. Reflect on why we failed and make changes to prevent further occurrences.

 

Reliability starts with being truthful. Don’t over promise. Understanding our limitations is key to keeping our word. When our words align with our actions, people know they can trust us. Avoid saying “yes” to things we cannot follow through on. Matthew 5:37: “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” We don’t have to hedge; that is the ego trying to misdirect.

 

Being reliable requires managing our time and proper planning. By learning to say “no” when necessary, we ensure our “yes” is meaningful and realistic. Prioritize tasks that align with our values and commitments.

 

The power of reliability cannot be overstated. In a world full of broken promises and unmet expectations, God calls us to be reliable. It builds trust, strengthens relationships, fosters stability, and creates opportunities for influence. More than that, it reflects God’s faithful character, making it a powerful witness to the world. “So do not fear; I am with you,” says God. We can rely on that.

 

It is my prayer that we strive to be as reliable in everything we do, whether in our relationships, our work, or our walk with God — so that we may bring stability, peace, and trust to those around us and glorify God through our faithfulness. By doing so, we allow God to make the best use of who we are for His plans.

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