Paul Tripp begins one of his devotions with this simple question, “If someone were to ask you what trusting in God looks like, what would you say?” Consider that for a moment…
Trusting in God is much more than merely mentally agreeing that God exists. Many people profess faith in God, but in no visible way does this profession impact how they live. James reminds us in James 2:18,19, of this truth,
“18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.”
Obviously, the demons believe that God exists. But they will never trust and obey God; thus, they will suffer God’s judgement for all eternity. Trusting in God means believing that He is in charge, in control, and is calling you to obey His commands, even when or especially when it is hard. Let’s be more specific about our trust in God and how it should affect how we live. We are given this picture straight from our Lord about what an active and genuine faith in God looks like. In Luke 6:32-36 we hear His words,
“32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
Jesus warns us that being kind and good to people who treat us well is not necessarily a sign of true faith in God, for even unbelievers do that. It is only when we are so moved by God’s existence, the wisdom of His commands, the truthfulness of His promises, and the sobering reality of His warnings that we will be able to truly forgive our enemies, pray for them including for their salvation, and earnestly desire for them to know God’s saving grace and mercy. This is what true faith and trusting in God looks like! Just as Christ died for us while we hated Him, so we are willing to forgive those right now who despise us and have nothing but indifference or contempt for us. This kind of life is the fruit of a genuine trust that the living God is in control of all things. So, we can respond with God’s mercy towards everyone that we meet in our lives when we’d rather take vengeance. We can show the same mercy that God has shown us and continues to extend to us. May God’s grace produce in us this kind of trust, this kind of courage, this kind of mercy.
Tripp, Paul David. Everyday Gospel: A Daily Devotional Connecting Scripture to All of Life. Paul David Tripp, 2024.
