Author: Jon Slenker, M.A., Contributing Author for Foundations by ICM
The pillars of Christianity all rest on the foundation of trust in a holy, and supreme God. The titles “Christian” and “Believer” are used synonymously throughout most of the world. C.S. Lewis wrote how trusting in God offers a complete worldview shift, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”1 The author of Hebrews records faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Heb 11:1).” One dictionary defines trust as, “to rely on the truthfulness or accuracy of : BELIEVE; to place confidence in : rely on; to hope or expect confidently.”2
We learn early the harsh realities of living in a world that offers no hope in itself. As we grow, we see the brokenness more clearly and experience the pain of betrayal and the prevalence of evil. Trusting in God is not the only alternative. But as Believers, we trust in God, not man, and his sovereignty as he works in our hearts and reveals himself and his plan through the Holy Scriptures (Psalms 118:8).
The Scriptures are filled with stories of two kinds of people, those who trust God and those who trust in themselves. Adam and Eve trusted God to cover their sin (Gen 3). Abraham trusted God to leave home in pursuit of an undetermined promised land (Gen 12). Moses trusted God to lead his people out of bondage (Exodus 3). David trusted God would protect him and bring justice to evil (Psalm 27). The Prophets trusted God to preach his word with all authority and responsibility (Is 6:8). Jesus modeled for his disciples what trusting himself, the Father, and the Holy Spirit looked and felt like. The Apostles and Early Church trusted God would miraculously save, build his Church, return, and restore.
1. Trust God Loves You
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
Apart from God man can do nothing (John 15:5). We are cut off, separated from God and his perfect, steadfast love. But Jesus modeled what trusting the Father looks like in all perfection and was reliant on him daily because he trusted the Father loved him. Jesus knew his identity in relation to the Father and trusted his Father to be for him, lead him and work through him. Jesus even said that the Son can do nothing apart from the Father and he does only what the Father does (John 5:19). God the Father was God the Son’s refuge and strength while on mission. Jesus proved to his disciples they too can trust the Father. If you are a Believer, you can trust the Father has adopted you and loves and cares for you as his child. This is good news! When you realize who God is, and what he has done, you can trust God loves you. When you can trust God loves you, you can trust him for everything else.
2. Trust God For Salvation
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
Those who trust in God for salvation do so because they trust Jesus was holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens (Hebrews 7:26). As Believers, we can trust God for salvation, not because we are righteous, but because Christ was righteous for us. We have been justified by his, sinless life, atoning death and given new life through his resurrection. It is through God’s work and his Word, the Believer is shaped more into his glorious image (Rom 5:8, 9; 8:9; 10:9). Trust Jesus is the way, the truth and offers new life.
3. Trust God’s Spirit is Present
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16-17
As those who trust in God, we are to conduct ourselves by the Spirit that brings life, not our sinful flesh that causes separation from God. Our bodies are the new temple of God’s dwelling place (1 Cor 6:19). God’s Spirit convicts and enables us to live out love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Trust God’s Spirit dwells in you and directs your path. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit (Matt 7:18).” God Spirit gives peace and is present and active, always fighting for our highest possible good.
4. Trust God’s Word Revives
“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;” Psalm 19:7
Not only are the sacred writings able to make one wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus; but Paul also writes, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Tim 3:15-17).” The Word of God revives the soul as we write it on our hearts and meditate on it day and night. Billy Graham said, “If you are ignorant of God’s Word, you will always be ignorant of God’s will.” If we are ignorant of God’s will, which is to revive, reconcile and restore the lost to himself, then we will not experience the freedom and revival God’s Word reveals is available to us.
5. Trust God Will Restore
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
God has promised to make all things new for those who trust in him. He promises that “new heaven and new earth will be completely free of sin and selfishness—a place of perfect friendship with God, others, and all creation. No more shattering earthquakes, devastating tsunamis, or violent storms will plague the earth. No more pain, broken hearts, sickness, or death to trouble us.”3 What an amazing promise! It seems too good to be true, but when one sees how God has fulfilled his promises from the beginning and experiences that God is mighty to save, we can trust our Sovereign God will complete his mission to restore.
TRUST GOD LOVES YOU
TRUST GOD FOR SALVATION
TRUST GOD’S SPIRIT IS PRESENT
TRUST GOD’S WORD REVIVES
TRUST GOD WILL RESTORE
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author, and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:24
1Lewis, C.S. Is Theology Poetry
2https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trust
3https://thestoryfilm.com/watch
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