Faith: A Response to God’s Faithfulness
In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, we all seek something to hold onto. For many, faith is that anchor. But what does it truly mean to have faith, especially in the context of our relationship with God?
Faith is not just a simple belief or a set of doctrines we adhere to. It's a whole world of God's faithfulness living inside us, guiding our lives and decisions. Our faith in Jesus is, at its core, a response to Jesus's unwavering faithfulness to us.
This concept might seem straightforward, but it becomes complex when we face life's challenges. Many of us can recount times when God has been faithful, but what about those moments when it feels like God is absent? Where is God when tragedy strikes, when pain overwhelms, or when loneliness engulfs us?
It's in these moments that we often find ourselves echoing the words of Jelly Roll:
"I am not okay - I am barely getting by
I'm losing track of days - and losing sleep at night
I am not okay - I'm hanging on the rails
So if I say I'm fine - Just know I learned to hide it well"
This raw honesty captures a universal human experience. We're all struggling, all trying to convince ourselves that everything will be alright. But deep down, we know that no amount of positive self-talk can truly make things okay.
This is where the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ comes in. It allows us to be honest with ourselves, with God, and with others. We no longer need to hide our struggles or pretend we have it all together. Instead, we can admit our need for rescue, for someone to truly make things okay.
The Apostle Paul articulates this beautifully in Galatians 2:16: "Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified."
This verse underscores a fundamental truth: we cannot earn our way to being "okay" with God, ourselves, or the world around us. It's only through faith in Jesus that we find true justification and peace.
But what does this faith look like in practice? It's not passive; it's active and dynamic. Like fire emanating heat, genuine faith naturally results in obedience and good works. It's not about earning God's favor, but about responding to the favor He's already shown us.
Faith manifests in our lives in two primary ways: as hope and as relationship.
Faith as hope builds a bridge between what we know or believe and the experience of God's goodness in the present and future. It's not wishful thinking, but a solid assurance grounded in God's faithfulness to His promises. As Hebrews 11:1 states, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
This hope allows us to step out in faith, not blindly, but with bold trust in God's promises, presence, and provision. It's living as if what is not yet visible will become reality when God says so.
Faith as relationship goes beyond mere forgiveness of past sins. It assures our future and transforms our identity. Romans 8:14-15 beautifully captures this:
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'"
This relational aspect of faith is what sets Christianity apart. It's not about fearing or merely respecting a distant deity, but about becoming children of God, intimately connected to our heavenly Father.
The story of Livia Satterfield Young powerfully illustrates this transformation. As a 12-year-old in a Romanian orphanage, Livia's life was changed by a simple shoebox gift from Operation Christmas Child. This act of kindness opened the door for her to hear about God's love, accept Christ, and eventually be adopted into a loving family. Her journey from orphan to beloved daughter mirrors our spiritual journey through faith in Christ.
So how do we mature in our faith? It's a process, much like raising a child. All the potential is there, but it requires nurture and guidance to reach full maturity. Ephesians 2:8-10 reminds us that while we're saved by grace through faith, we're also created for good works that God has prepared for us.
To grow in faith, we must first be honest about where we are on our spiritual journey. Life's storms often reveal the true state of our faith. When challenges arise, do we panic and question God's care, or do we stand firm in our trust in Him?
Next, we must act on the faith we have. This isn't about earning salvation, but about responding to the salvation we've already received. As C.S. Lewis beautifully put it, it's about "inevitably wanting to act in a certain way because a first faint gleam of Heaven is already inside you."
This might mean forgiving someone who's hurt us, showing kindness to a difficult person, or stepping out to serve others even when we don't feel like it. These actions of faith close the gap between what we know and what we do, allowing our faith to mature and bear fruit.
In conclusion, our faith in Jesus is fundamentally a response to His faithfulness to us. When we find our faith lacking, we can recount God's faithfulness over the years. And no matter our current circumstances, we can always look to the cross as the ultimate demonstration of God's faithfulness and love.
Faith isn't just in our heads or hearts; it's in our hands and feet as we take each step forward. It's not about having a complete roadmap for life, but about trusting God for the next step, knowing that as we move forward, Jesus is there.
In the valleys, the fog, the questions, and the walls of life, faith is about taking the next step and doing the next right thing. It's the assurance that as we journey through life, step by step, Jesus is always there, faithful to the end.
For further discussion
Use these questions to start a conversation on faith with your family and small group:
How does the concept of justification by faith, rather than works, impact your daily life and decision-making process?
How does the image of God as a Father, and believers as adopted children, influence your perception of your relationship with God?
Reflecting on the lyrics of Jelly Roll's song 'I'm Not Okay,' how do you relate to the struggle of hiding one's true feelings? How can faith in Jesus help us be more authentic?
Reflect on a recent 'storm' in your life. How did it reveal the current state of your faith, and what did you learn from that experience?