Faith is Trust
Throughout all of scripture, men and women are commended for their faith. Faith is not just the belief that God exists or even that he is powerful. It’s trusting that his intention for you is what is best for you.
Confusion about the Old Testament sacrificial system may lead some to believe that salvation by faith became a reality only after Christ. However, scripture says even Abraham was saved because of his faith and not his works.
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”
Romans 4:2-8
Faith, however, is not only important for eternal salvation. Every day we live our lives, we must rest in the trust that whatever God has for us that day is best or we will quickly sink into trying to “make life better” according to our own limited vision.
We may sin seeking temporary pleasures without counting the long-term damage. We may fail to be charitable, believing we must entirely depend upon ourselves and our means for our survival. We may choose cowardice, afraid of the reactions of men if we stand for the truth.
In all of these situations, when we are trusting in God it destroys the worries that keep us from living a life worthy of the God who is worthy of all honor.
Not Testing
It is possible, however, for those who seek to be trusting to error into testing instead. This happens when instead of carrying on in faith we act presuming God will do something specific. Jesus was tempted in this way. The devil had taken him to the top of the temple and was encouraging him to jump to prove he was the Son of God.
and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Matthew 4:6-7
While it may seem like it would be very trusting to throw oneself off a building and assume angels would be sent to catch you, it was a risk Jesus had no reason to take other than to test if his Father would provide. Here his response is to quote from Deuteronomy 6:16.
Israel was commanded not to test their God “as you tested him at Massah”. This is a reference to a time during the exodus from Egypt where Israel found themselves wondering where they would get needs as basic as water, and instead of trusting in God they began asking each other if God was really with them at all.
Testing God, then, is presuming upon him rather than trusting. These things may look very similar, but where trusting him is peaceful presuming upon him is insistent. When we trust God, we pray that his will be done and we present our struggles, needs, and desires to him knowing that what is best for us may not be what we think is best. When we test him, we may pray for specific results or become frustrated with God when things aren’t going our way instead.
Faith Need Not Test
While it can be easy for people to confuse the two, true faith eliminates the desire to test. When we carry on in life believing that God knows best, the temptation to “check” if God will act on our behalf makes no sense at all!
There are many movements that teach it is a lack of faith to pray that God’s will be done. We’re told if we really believe God, we would insist upon him to do things we believe should be done. Whether it is healing, prosperity, or any other miraculous gift, there are many who would instruct us to simply “claim” these things.
This is a form of testing. While God certainly has the ability to provide anything he wishes, and wishes to provide whatever is best to his servants. Aside from claiming what he has explicitly promised us, we ought not to be so arrogant as to assume we will receive anything our hearts desire. Instead, learning to know the will of God, we ought to seek to do that will trusting he will provide what we truly need to accomplish everything according to his purpose.
When Jesus promised us to do whatever we “ask in his name” it was not an invitation to test him according to our whims. This fact is evident in the text itself. To do something “in the name” of an authority is to be carrying out the will of that authority. If a police officer does something “in the name of the law” it had better be in accordance with the actual law. Otherwise, he has no authority to do so and it is actually abuse of power.
Similarly, if you’re going to pray in the name of Jesus, you had best be open to his way of things getting done. Otherwise, you’re only testing him and stepping well beyond your bounds!
God is good. Trusting him is always safe but our sinful selves will often try to get in the way. Before you act, remember to ask if you’re trusting God or only testing him!
