What perfect, unchangeable, unconditional loving entity can we trust in this broken world? Can you trust imperfect people, wisdom, or knowledge? Can you place all your trust in your flawed self?
What is Trust?
In Hebrew, trust is a verb for feeling confident, carefree, entrusting yourself, and hoping.
In Greek, trust is confidence, reliance, trustfulness, trustiness, faith, credit, loyalty, and belief.
Our definition of trust is formed from our first experiences with imperfect people. Our definition changes as we expand the depth of our relationships and experience broken trust. Depending on how deeply we have been hurt, it can be very difficult for us to trust anyone or anything. Until we know the accurate definitions of trust, we will transfer our imperfect definitions and understanding onto our relationship with Jesus.
How Can We Learn to Trust Jesus
To change our definition of trust, we must look to see how Jesus operated in his life. Being fully human, he encountered many relationships during his ministry and experienced deep betrayal. However, Jesus never fully puts his trust in imperfect men. Scripture tells us.
“Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people. No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart.” (John 2:24-25, NLT)
If Jesus knew that he could trust God with everything, why don’t we? As Christ’s disciples, we are instructed to listen, follow, and obey him. To trust and follow Jesus means we will trust and follow God. Unfortunately, in our human condition in this broken world, we often get confused about Christ’s definition of trust and how that plays out in our life.
When we don’t know God’s word and how we are instructed to live with one another in love, grace, respect, honor, and freedom, we may be deceived or make false assumptions about trust. We may believe that we must trust everyone regardless of what they do to us, which is untrue. We may believe that if someone betrays our trust, we must allow them back into our hearts and lives. This belief is also not always true.
It’s crucial for Christ’s disciples to live in healthy relationships. Being healthy requires us to evaluate the words and actions of others to see if they are healthy or toxic. As we walk closely with Jesus, he helps us discern who is healthy and who we can trust.
I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? (Psa. 56:3-4, NLT)
How Can You Distrust God and the Only Perfect Person Who Died for You?
"For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:16-17, NLT)
People have two choices. We can trust an entity or religion made by imperfect men or the perfect Creator, God, and our Savior, Jesus Christ. To think that our God and Savior would give imperfect people the opportunity to live with them now and into eternity confirms how much they love us. Not only do they love us, but they have also sacrificed everything to make our eternity with them possible. Our privilege is to open our hands and hearts and choose to walk with them every day. How can we question if we can trust them with this expression of pure unconditional love?
Trusting Jesus is Essential to Being His Disciple
You won’t follow someone you do not know and trust. Without having a growing personal relationship with Jesus daily, how can our heart, mind, soul, and spirit trust him? If you struggle to trust Jesus, how much time are you spending with him by studying his life and God’s word, praying or talking to him, and in worship? Jesus gives us ALL of him at salvation. If there is distrust, it’s on your end, and you can change that.
Purchase a study Bible and read about the life of Jesus. Get into a Bible study and discuss the life of Jesus. Read the words of Jesus and ask him to help you apply them to your life. Without knowing and trusting Jesus completely, how can you proclaim to be his disciple? How will you know when he is speaking to you? What will move you to honor him through instant obedience if you do not know and trust him?
Jesus Christ’s loving sacrifice cost him everything! You can learn to trust him as you spend personal time with him every day. You can walk every minute of every day with your Savior, teacher, and King. Only you can choose to grow your trust as you grow in him.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Prov. 3:5-6, NLT)
