Blind Faith Part 2 "Just trust in Jesus?"

Question: Is it perfectly acceptable to have what most today call “blind faith”? I speak to so many Christians today and most say, “Just trust in Jesus and you’ll be fine.”

Answer: Here we’ll examine the second part of this question – “Trust in Jesus and you’ll be fine.” I couldn’t agree more that if we do truly trust in Jesus we will be fine, however we need to look at what it means to trust and what the word “fine” really means from a biblical perspective.

Trust – I can’t help but think of the old hymn that reminds us, “Trust and obey, there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey.” In order to trust someone, you really have to first know who it is you’re trusting in. Jesus said there would be many false Christs (anointed ones) who would come and say “follow me”. (Matthew 24:24) So simply saying we need to trust in Jesus, although true, demands a careful and clear explanation to every hearer.  It is only reasonable that we let Jesus define who He is and what His actual role is in Heaven, in this created universe, and in eternity. Throughout Scripture Jesus defines Himself as God in the flesh. (John 14:6, John 10:30,John 10:33, etc.) The Bible also declares plainly that Jesus washed all our sins away. He paid our sin price in full, once for all. (Hebrews 10:10) Once forgiven we do not need to go to a church or man to access that forgiveness. To say that we trust in Jesus, but do not believe what He says about Himself really means we do not trust Him at all. It is easy to be deceived even partially. However if we allow God’s Word speak for itself, letting the Holy Spirit reveal Jesus to us, we will know the truth and the truth will set us free. 
So to say we need to “trust Jesus” is true, but the person telling others to trust in Him has the moral and biblical obligation to carefully explain who Jesus is and what He has actually done according to His Word and His Word alone. Granted, using analogies, stories, and examples can be helpful, but in the end we need to point people back to God’s Word. After all, Jesus is the Word of God. (John 1:1)

Clarity – Also, to tell someone who doesn’t know the biblical Gospel that he simply needs to “trust in Jesus” is more than a bit confusing. The Gospel of God is not simply trusting in Jesus. We must first understand we are sinful creatures, openly rebelling against the Almighty God. We must understand our works cannot save us, in fact they are filthy rags to God. We must understand the need to turn from our prideful state and humbly embrace God through the full and free forgiveness offered to all through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 15:1-4) The Apostle Paul understood the power of the pure Gospel and was very careful to preach the perfectly Good News of God. Only the true Gospel of Christ is the power of salvation. (Romans 1:16) Any other message is useless and in the end eternally destructive.

“Fine” – Regarding Jesus making our lives fine, God’s Word does promise that all born-again believers are safe and secure in Jesus, (2 Cor. 1:22,Eph. 1:13, Eph. 4:30, 1 John 5:13) so ultimately and eternally speaking we are “fine”. However, while on earth, Jesus promised this world will bring us trouble. Jesus said this broken world will bring us tribulation and trials, but we are to be of good cheer for He has overcome this world. (John 16:33)

Sadly, too many sinners are simply looking for a Jesus that will make their present lives better, never realizing true life is eternal in the heavens, not this world. “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that has the Son has life; and he that has not the Son of God has not life” 1 John 5:11-12. Jesus did not die on the cross, raise from the grave, and send His Holy Spirit so we could have more comfortable, selfish, and rebellious lives, but that we should be freed from Satan, self, and sin to finally understand, know, love, and obey the One True God.

So, yes we should trust in Jesus and yes, He will make things fine, but there’s more to the story. May we be extremely cautious and careful to receive and preach the true Jesus Christ, realizing it is His life in us that makes us overcomers in our temporal trials and tribulations. And it is His life that seals us for eternity. Nothing less will do!

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4-5