Trust is not troubled

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. John 14:1

 

A troubled heart is unstable and fearful, but a trusting heart is steady and peaceful. Uncertain circumstances swirl around our soul seeking to suck it into a place of distrust. But, by faith we choose to remain on God’s glassy sea of trust rather than be tossed about on a raging river of unbelief. Every day we have a choice to let our heart be troubled or to let it be trusting. A life challenge can agitate us or grow/mature us. Trust changes exhausting unrest into life giving tranquility.

No doubt each disciple felt a flurry of emotions that pushed them to the edge of an anxiety. Jesus just exposed one of their own as an impostor. He instructed them in a standard of love that required their radical service and to lay down their life. Jesus rebuked Peter twice for his rash responses. He reminded them all that His death was imminent and they couldn’t go with Him. Thus, He reassures them by saying, “Trust,” “Trust God, trust Me.” Trust Me. I am trustworthy.

What competes with your trust in God? A sense of being overwhelmed by all that needs to get done? A money management mishap that could grow into a financial free fall? A relational conflict? Fear of losing your job? Fear of failure? Fear of the future? A health scare? A nagging frustration you can’t resolve in your mind? Anger issues? A need to forgive? Whatever rivals your rest in Christ, let go of its draining demands and let God take over. His peace guards our heart.

Trust in God through Jesus is much more than a cold intellectual exercise. It is a heart felt embrace of His presence, His promises and His power. Theism, or the belief in God, is an incomplete faith without trust in Christ as the Son of God. It's good to be a God fearer, but it is not enough without grace through faith and being a recipient of Jesus into our heart. A Spirit filled heart is a joy filled heart. Turmoil exits a heart when Jesus enters. So, trust and rejoice in His comfort and leading.

The freedom of forgiveness

At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. Matthew 18:26-27

 

God’s forgiveness gives us freedom. Freedom from paying our unpayable debt of sin. Freedom from the devil’s control. Freedom from evil’s allure. Freedom from hell. Freedom from guilt. Freedom from lying, cheating and stealing. Freedom from the faulty thinking. Freedom to forgive ourselves and freedom to forgive others. God forgives us to walk out of the jail cell of our pride: free to forgive. Christ forgives us, so we are free to forgive ourselves and  others.

Jesus describes two men in debt. The first debtor owed 500 lifetimes of salary to the king. He couldn’t possibly pay his debt, but was relieved when the king forgave what he owed. The second debtor, who was the slave of the first debtor, owed his master 100 days wages. Ironically, the first debtor unmercifully put his servant into prison for a small debt, compared to the massive amount he was just forgiven. Confined behind bars the second debtor was unable to pay, even if he wanted too. How could this unforgiving creditor be so callous, having just received such a magnanimous gift?

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

Having experienced the surpassing grace of God in our life through Christ’s forgiveness, our gratitude grows us in kindness and compassion. Indeed gratitude greases the skids of kindness and compassion, so forgiveness easily flows from our soul. Like a christened cruise ship slides steadily toward the water on lubricated rails, so our new life in Christ moves our soul forward to forgiveness on the grace covered rails of kindness and compassion. Forgiveness incubates in a heart of gratitude. If we don’t get over God’s mercy and forgiveness, it gets all over us. It frees us up!

Hallelujah, God’s forgiveness is a cycle of freedom. By grace through faith in Jesus our heavenly Father forgives us. We joyfully receive His forgiveness with a grateful heart. From our thankful heart flows kindness, compassion and mercy to forgive ourselves and to forgive others. Some who experience our ongoing forgivingness will seek forgiveness from God. Thus, Christ’s cycle of freedom in forgiveness perpetuates across the nations. We are free indeed to forgive as needed.

Does gratitude mark your attitude or do you take God’s grace for granted? Who needs your abundance of kindness and compassion? Your ongoing mercy and forgiveness toward others may be the only Jesus they see and experience. Release offenders from your mental and emotional prisons;  both of you will be set free to enjoy the fruits of forgiveness: peace, joy, laughter, smiles, affection, intimacy, security and fulfillment. In Christ, we have freedom in forgiveness