AUDIO
TRANSCRIPT
Have you ever heard the term “blind faith”? I think many times this type of faith is attributed to the lives we live as Christians. We have this mindset that “blind faith” equals “truth faith”. That to follow Jesus means journeying daily with no road map and no destination. It’s a life of aimless wandering, no knowledge or instruction provided, while waiting for Jesus to point you in the right direction at some point.
I don’t know about you but even as a believer that type of life sounds absolutely terrifying! How would you ever know if you were heading in the right direction? I would live my life in a constant state of fear that I was “missing God” and, therefore, unknowingly living a life of disobedience to Him. In fact, blind faith is defined as “unquestioning belief in something, even when it's unreasonable or wrong.”
Now, God will absolutely ask us to take a step of faith in a direction that we may not fully understand or have a point A to point B google map plan in hand - but God doesn’t expect us or desire us to take those steps blindly. And He definitely would never ask us to do anything unreasonable or wrong! That tells me that God doesn’t expect us to live lives of “blind faith” but rather of “faith obedience”. How do I know?
Because when God speaks, though He may not give the whole plan all at once, He ALWAYS gives “the next step”. And, not only that, He gives the “why” for that step! This truth is echoed all throughout scripture! We can even go all of the way back to Genesis where we find Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and God instructed them in Genesis 2:17 not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil - that’s their “next step” if you will, don’t eat from this one tree - and then He continues “for on the day you eat it you will surely die” - the WHY behind the command.
And that pattern of “FAITH OBEDIENCE” rather than “blind faith” weaves it’s way throughout all of the Bible - with Scripture not only contradicting itself but also confirming itself time and time again. And today’s passage of scripture is no exception.
Romans Chapter 8 is one of the most beloved chapters in the Bible. Within its 39 verses we find several familiar scriptures that are declared regularly. Verses such as:
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (verse 1)
“...If God is for us, who can be against us?” (verse 31b)
“...in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.” (verse 37)
This entire portion of scripture is chalked full of encouragement and from beginning to end we are reminded of the incredible security we, as Christians, have in Christ. Paul opens this chapter with “there is no condemnation” and closes it with “nothing will ever be able to separate us from God’s love for us”. And then, in between these bookends, Paul provides the proof - he builds his case, if you will - as to why what he declared is true.
Why is there now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, as verse 1 declares? Verse 3 answers that very question - “For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do."
Why can we declare with confidence that “if God is for us, who can be against us?” and “in all things we are more than conquerors?" Because, as verse 32 declares, God did not even spare His own Son but rather offered Him up as a sacrifice for our salvation, proving that He not only CAN graciously give us all things - He, in fact, already has!
If you have been with us from the beginning of this Dwell journey, then you have now read and studied your way through over half of the New Testament! I have no doubt that over the past almost 7 months you have learned more about the Lord, yourself, and others all along the way. And I hope that the word has come alive to you in a way it never has before! Proving to faithfully equip you, empower you, and guide you - allowing you to walk this life in partnership with Jesus - following His voice and leading one day and one step at a time - living a life of FAITH obedience and not blind faith.