What does it mean to "trust" Jesus?
Q: "All of this sounds really great but I have never understood what it
means to 'trust Jesus.'"
our A: First, trusting in Christ means that you're not relying upon
yourself, but on Christ to get you into heaven. We cannot get
to heaven by doing good deeds, things that we think will make
us acceptable to God. Rather, we need to be forgiven of our
sins, realizing that Jesus died for our sins.
And what He did for us on the cross is the only way to have our sins forgiven.
The Bible says...
- "All the [Old Testament] prophets testify about him [Jesus]
that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of
sins through his name." (Acts 10:43)
- "In him we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches
of God's grace." (Ephesians 1:7)
After someone trusts in Christ for the forgiveness of their
sins, a new life begins -- "If anyone is in Christ, he
is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
(2Cor. 5:17) The person becomes a follower of
Christ. As a follower of Christ, a person
relies upon Jesus in other areas of their
life, not just for forgiveness of sin.
For example, Jesus said that He is the Teacher (John 13:13-14).
He told His disciples that He would send
the Holy Spirit to them, and that the Holy
Spirit would teach them all things (John 14:26)
and guide them into all truth (John 16:13).
God teaches a person His ways and His
truth. In terms of our values and our behavior,
He cleans out stuff in our thinking that's not right,
and shows us from His perspective what is correct.
This is another way in which God loves us.
He is the One who knows all truth, and He wants us to
build our lives on His truth. Jesus said...
- "Everyone who hears these words of mine and
puts them into practice is like a wise man who built
his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams
rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house;
yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on
the rock." (Matthew 7:24-25)
- "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my
disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the
truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32)
- "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and
learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29)
The most
important part of following Christ is to learn
from Him. By relying on Christ as our Teacher, He guides
us into living a new life that is according to
His will and is according to truth. He shows us
how to live, and will even guide us in how to
pray. When we learn what He wants from us,
then we rely on His strength and power
(the Holy Spirit) to do those things.
Following Christ is all about relying upon Him.
He told His disciples, "I am the vine; you are
the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him,
he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can
do nothing." (John 15:5)
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How to begin a relationship with God
