Believing God

Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

Romans 5:2

It’s always important to look at what comes before the word therefore in the Bible. The chapter before therefore in Romans 5:1 describes God’s interaction with Abraham and gives us a clear picture of what is our part and what is God’s part in the whole scheme of things. It tells us that Abraham received the promise not because he was “good enough” in God’s sight, not because he kept all the commandments—but because he believed in God, who raises the dead and makes something out of nothing (see Romans 4:17). That’s faith.

If we want to enter into “this place of undeserved privilege” and have peace with God because of what Jesus has done for us, our part is to believe. To believe God is able to accomplish his will instead of doubting whether he could work on our behalf. To believe that God is the initiator and that nothing is too hard for him. To believe that he will speak to us and guide us. And to believe this amazing promise in Romans 5: that we’ve been put in right standing with almighty God by faith, that by faith Christ has brought us into an intimate relationship with an infinite God so we can live with great hope that someday we will share in his glory.

We need to give up our own efforts to be “good enough” to receive God’s promise. We’ll probably need to let go of all the what-ifs: What if I miss the Lord? What if he speaks and I don’t hear him? What if I take the wrong turn and mess everything up? But we can remember that the same God who has made a way for us to be accepted, embraced, and invited into the place of grace shall in his timing direct us back onto the right path.

I praise you, Father, that through the Cross you made a way to forgive my sins and bring me into right relationship with you. Lord, increase my faith!

Faith isn’t the ability to believe long and far into the misty future. It’s simply taking God at his Word and taking the next step.

Joni Erickson Tada(1949–), American author, artist, and advocate for the disabled