On Who Or What Does Your Faith Depend Upon?

“Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” —John 20:29

We all live our lives trusting in something.  It might be ourselves, someone else, or maybe even God.  If you are a Christian, of course the third choice is the “right” one.  We trust because we believe that whatever or whomever we trust in will meet what ever needs we might have.

In John 20, Thomas could not believe or trust that Jesus was alive unless he could see Him and touch his wounds so Thomas would know it was not a figment of his imagination or a trick of some sort. Not that he did not want it to be true, of course he did, but trusting in God required that Thomas believe the impossible and for that, he needed physical proof. Well, he got it. But Jesus went on to say that for most, they won’t get physical proof of a spiritual truth. Their belief of the truth of His resurrection would require faith.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1

It is all too easy to trust in people, who we can see, rather than God who we cannot see.  Unfortunately, people are fallible.  They have feet of clay, just like us.  They can start well, but then stray from the path of truth.  The problem is that those who are following and trusting, follow the same path. 

The sermon this past Sunday was from Judges 9.  The story of Abimelech and the people of Shechem.    The people abandoned God and, instead, put their trust in a man.  Before we run to condemnation of those people, we must examine our own hearts.  God includes those stories in the Bible for our benefit – as warning signals – lest we go the way of Shechem which is no more. (I believe the culture of the United States, including some people of faith, is on that path)

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

It is so easy to trust in what you can see.  What seems reasonable. What the majority has accepted as truth. Be careful that you don’t embrace the world thinking that the world is on the right path. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. (John 14:6) The Word of God is a light to your path and a lamp to your feet. (Psalm 119:105)

So what or who are you trusting in? Whose voice are you putting your faith in? Whose truth are you embracing?