The question on many minds is, “why should we trust Jesus?” In spite of Jesus, life is sometimes very rough and raw with many. Unbelievers are the most successful in life. We are the subject of hate and violence all over the world. Our homes are torn apart with chaos devoid of peace. Other beliefs and associations promise and provide good life and prosperity. In our utmost need, Jesus does not always answer our prayers when other deities do. There are many more questions than satisfactory answers outside the bible. So, in spite of these and many questions, why should we trust Jesus?
What does trusting God mean?
Trusting generally means the belief that a state of affairs exists. It is not predicated on the physical presence of what is visible to the eye. The attitude of trusting is dependent on a positive and unwavering attitude of the mind. Without belief, trust will fail. Jesus therefore said in John 14: 1, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. This is the foundation of our relationship with Jesus.
We trust God because we believe he exists. We trust God because we believe he manifests beyond the physical realm. We trust God because evidence shows that he is unfailing and that what we term as failure is after all to our benefit. Trusting God is not conditional but absolute. Proverbs 3: 5-6 say trust in the LORD always with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your path. Trusting God shows the extent and depth of our relationship with God.
Trusting Jesus is righteousness
When we trust Jesus, we obey God’s will. At Jesus’ baptism, God said in Matthew 17:5, this is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him. Therefore, if Jesus says, we must believe in him, it calls for obedience. There is no righteousness greater than obedience to God. Genesis 15: 6 says and he (Abraham) believed the LORD; and the LORD reckoned it to him as righteousness. Believing in God demands obedience to him without which belief is fake. Some believe in God only with their lips doubting him when trouble comes. We cannot doubt Christ Jesus yet say we trust him.
Trusting Jesus pleases God
Faith is built on trust else there is no faith. Lack of trust means the presence of doubt. Hebrews 11: 6 says, without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. We trust God when we overcome doubt about him. Acts 16: 25 says, about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Paul and Silas overcame their circumstance in prison by trusting Jesus’ words in Matthew 28: 20, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
How can we trust God through Jesus?
God has been gracious to show us how we can trust him. It includes as follows;
It is by God’s Spirit,
We cannot trust God by human effort but by the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 15: 5, … apart from me you can do nothing. Trusting God comes from building a God led relationship with him. Ephesians 5: 18-20 say, be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Without his Spirit, our relationship of trust is empty and vain before God.
By believing what God says.
Jesus asked his disciples in Matthew 9: 28, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?’ They said to him, “Yes Lord.” Jesus said in Revelation 2: 25 only hold fast to what you have until I come. He also said in Revelation 3: 11, I am coming soon; hold fast to what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. Trusting God means unwavering in his word. He said in Jeremiah 31: 13, I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.
By the encounters we face
We trust God by the encounters we have in life. Some encounters, though very negative, heightens our trust in God. They include escape from death, injury, sickness, failures, etc. James 1: 2-4 say my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
By grace through faith
Trusting God is by grace through faith. Our human efforts are enabled only by grace. Romans 11: 8 says if you do boast, remember that it is not you that supports the root, but the root that supports you. Paul asked in 1Corinthians 4: 7, what do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift? All we have achieved is by grace so we must not boast for 2Corinthians 11: 13 says for such boasters are false apostles. Jesus said in 2Corinthians 12: 9, my grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness. When we struggle to exercise trust in God, he enables us by his grace.
Do we trust Jesus by obeying him?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, help us by your grace to trust you more all the days and circumstances in our lives. Let our trust in you be beyond what our eyes can see or our minds perceive. Let your word be the foundation of our trust in you. May our obedience to you be counted as righteousness before you. We pray in your holy name, Amen!!
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