How to Live a Life that Leans on God

We have been talking about the perfectionist mindset over the past few weeks, and last week we talked about how often at the root of the perfectionist mindset we see someone who places their worth on what others think of them. We concluded by saying that Jesus or God are who we should place our worth on.

However, that leads us to the question: How can we do this when we cannot see/touch/listen to these things in person?

Really the only answer is to take the word of those who experienced it firsthand. It might sound odd, but at least two of the gospel writers were first-hand witnesses to Jesus, and one was a detailed researcher and interviewer: Luke. In the research that went into his gospel, Luke interviewed as many eye witnesses as he could (including disciples, people in the crowds, and probably even Jesus’ enemies) to get a well rounded picture of who Jesus was at that time.

Why does this matter? Because, when we don’t have the time or ability to experience it first hand, we must rely on those who have.

So what do the gospels tell us about Jesus? Probably the most famous verse from the gospels is John 3:16  — “God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him may not be lost, but have eternal life.” We can continue reading because the next verse is just as profound, “God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through Him.” (John 3:17 NCV)

Throughout the gospels, Jesus commonly referred to Himself as the Son, and usually He referenced Himself as the Son of Man — which is a phrase that is scattered throughout the Old Testament, and tradition held that the Messiah would come with this as one of His titles, because Daniel makes use of this term in a strong Messianic context. (Daniel 7:13).

This morning, I read the three gospel accounts of the transfiguration of Jesus (which are found in Mark 9:2-13 / Matthew 17:1-13 / Luke 9:28-36). One of the things that struck me as interesting is that Luke, in his interviewing of the disciples, wrote God the Father’s Words about Jesus as: “This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to Him!” [Emphasis added.]

It is not simply that Jesus is God’s Son, but also Jesus was chosen by the Father. In turn, Jesus chose us: “You did not choose Me; I chose you. And I gave you this work: to go and produce fruit, fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you anything you ask for in My name.” (John 15:16)

Most of life comes down to the idea of trusting others, whether we are trusting that the other drivers will say in their lanes and stop at the stoplights, and/or trusting co-workers and team members that they will do their tasks well. Trust in these things is never instantaneous, but instead, it is grown over a period of time and experience.

In the same way, unless we regularly read the eye witness accounts of Jesus (in the four gospels), we can never learn to trust Him. If you’re stuck on how to study the Bible, or on where to go from here, I invite you to visit ReflectiveBibleStudy.com and watch a series of free Bible Study training videos (no opt-in necessary), and grow your personal relationship with Jesus.

It is through this relationship that we learn to trust Jesus, and it is through this relationship that we begin to see how much Jesus loves us, and how that will never change!

~Cam

P.S. What are your thoughts? Do you know any other ways to grow trust in Jesus?