I remember years ago talking with a man about faith in God. We interacted for about an hour. He asked me questions about my faith, I asked him questions about his worldview, and we talked. However, there was a moment in our conversation when something changed and it became clear to me that there would be no moving forward.
I had addressed every one of his objections to faith, and he said to me, “You know, everything you say makes sense. I mean, it all seems true, but I just can’t believe it yet.”
It was one of those moments when I, a mostly logical thinker with the benefit of having been raised in a Christian home where faith was both logical and also “what we do,” one of those moments when I realized that faith really is a leap. There is honestly no logical pathway connecting “what’s true” to “what I believe.” I believe what I believe because of three factors in my life:
- The family in which I was raised set the foundation of certain convictions in my life.
- The knowledge I have gained has given me a mental framework in which to live.
- The people I associate with support my faith.
I have made a decision to trust God and his Word, but I can’t take total credit for that decision… my decision to “believe” God and to “believe” his Word is a combination of many factors.
Why am I telling you all this? It’s because I have come to realize that the decision to trust God and his Word is a tough decision. It’s not something that you can “just do.” It’s something that requires all the leverage of convictions, new learning, and relationship.
But this decision does something that no other tough decision can do. The decision to trust God and His Word actually provides the leverage you need for every other tough decision you face.
Making this decision makes other decisions easy.
The truth of the matter that a simple commitment to God’s Word makes every other decision easier in at least three ways.
Extra Power
Those who choose to follow the teaching of God’s Word actually have extra power for living life and making wise decisions. We’re talking extra spiritual strength. Check out some of these verses:
How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. — Psalm 119:9
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. — Psalm 119:11
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. — Joshua 1:8
And my favorite promise of power coming from our faithfulness to God’s Word:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” — Romans 1:16-17
The Bible is clear. Those who follow what it teaches have the power of God behind them. First, the power of salvation, then the power of faith and righteousness.
Extra Knowledge
Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. — Psalm 119:98-100
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. — 2 Timothy 3:16-17
The Bible clearly claims that those who follow its teaching have more insight than anyone else. Those who are committed to God’s Word have the insight of the Creator of the Universe at their disposal.
Think it’s hard to make decisions? Think it would be easier if you just had more knowledge? Well, all the knowledge you need is at your disposal!
Extra Push
Finally, the Bible teaches us very clearly the importance of relationships in the process of growth, development and wise decision-making.
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. — Proverbs 27:17
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? — Ecclesiastes 4:9-11
However, that lesson doesn’t become truly powerful unless the friends you have around you are good people. You need “iron” around you. You need “warm” people around you. You need someone around you who doesn’t fall even if you do. How do you find people like that?
Well, you need people of knowledge and power… You need people committed to God’s Word.
Bottom Line
If you center your life on God’s Word, you will know the incredible spiritual power of the presence of God’s own Spirit in your life.
If you center your life on God’s Word, you will have greater knowledge than most people in this world, knowing even a measure of the future as you begin to understand the promises of God recorded in Scripture.
If you center your life on God’s Word, you will naturally surround yourself with other people who share that conviction, and all your power and all your knowledge will be multiplied!
Choose God’s Word and every other choice gets just a little easier!
Leave a Reply