Faith That Pleases
Welcome to “Joni and Friends.” Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, and I’m wondering, what words would you choose to describe your faith in Christ? You know, how do you describe your relationship with Him, your faith in Him? Would you say like: “I stand for Jesus!” or “I am firmly committed to the Lord!” Many believers talk about their faith as though they were ascribing allegiance to Christ or giving Him their loyalty or their commitment or even re-commitment. This, they feel, is an accurate picture of where they stand with Jesus, a little like the words to that old hymn: “Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will serve the King? Who will be His helpers, Other lives to bring?” Now please, don’t get me wrong, I love that hymn, but again, it describes our faith as us siding with Christ and His cause.
And there’s something about that that doesn’t sit easy. I mean, I felt the same way when recently, while flipping through a Christian magazine, I saw an advertisement for a Christian college. The words at the top appealed for young students to come and take the side of Christ.
But the Bible paints a different picture because our faith has little to do with what side we choose. It has little to do with our commitment, or allegiance. When we place our faith in Christ, we are not so much taking a stand for Jesus as we are acknowledging the stand that He takes for us. To place our faith in Christ is to bless Him for His loyalty, His commitment, His allegiance, His sacrifice that He made for us. Faith is self-despairing trust in the Lord. It is coming to Him in empty-handed poverty. Faith is surrendering all, even our sense of duty, our sense of allegiance, or commitment.
People of great faith are not measured by their shining pledge of allegiance to Christ, but by the humbling degree to which they recognize how poor, absolutely dirt-poor, they are in spirit. Their faith has power because they realize no good thing dwells within them. They bring to the Lord’s table nothing but open hands, ready to humbly receive whatever God in His mercy will give. I love this perspective because it keeps us humble. It keeps us boasting, not in ourselves and whose side we take but, always in the Lord. It keeps our focus on Jesus. And friend, that is the best way to have assurance when it comes to your faith in Christ. Because Hebrews Chapter 11 verse 6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” You will please God when you are sure of Christ’s commitment to you, rather than your commitment to Him. You will be well on your way to pleasing God when you have confidence in His love for you rather than your love for Him.
So, if you want to place your faith in Christ, surrender all, everything to Him. This is faith that pleases the Lord. And hey, I would love to hear your response to this. You can always jot me your comments at joniandfriends.org/radio. Just scroll down the page, and at the bottom, there’s a place where you can let me know what you think. Finally, join me in coming to Christ today empty-handed and with open palms ready to receive whatever in His mercy He gives. Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of our faith; He is the Source and the Wellspring of our faith. So when it comes to being strong, please let’s be strong in Christ alone.
By the way, if you have a prayer request, let me know on our radio page, and our Joni and Friends staff will lift up your need before the Lord. God bless you today, and thank you for listening today at Joni and Friends.
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