Do You Now Believe?
Is the map enough?
đź“– Insights from Oswald Chambers
📜 “By this we believe…Jesus answered…, Do ye now believe?” — John 16:30-31
How often do we say we trust Christ, only to turn around and make decisions based on our own reasoning? Chambers points out that it is possible to be engaged in good and even necessary work, yet do so apart from true reliance on Christ. A sense of duty, an urgency to meet needs, or even a desire to honor God can subtly replace the simple act of resting in His resurrection life.
Jesus asked His disciples, "Do you now believe?" because their confidence was about to be tested. They were sure of their faith in that moment, yet when circumstances changed, they would scatter, leaving Him alone. Christ’s words expose the difference between intellectual agreement and deep, abiding trust. True belief is not just acknowledging truth—it is living in continual dependence on the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
When we lean on our own discernment, we step out of sync with Christ. It’s not necessarily rebellion, but it is independence, and independence always leads to confusion. We strategize, make our own plans, and then ask God to bless what we have devised. But walking in the Spirit is not about asking God to endorse our efforts—it is about yielding to His life within, moment by moment.
A Single Focus
A traveler in an unfamiliar land can follow one of two approaches: he can either rely on his own instincts and a rough map, or he can trust a seasoned guide who knows every path. The first may feel secure for a while, but soon, he will encounter detours, obstacles, and uncertainties he was unprepared for. The second approach—trusting the guide—ensures that he stays on course, without anxiety or missteps.
Likewise, we are not called to navigate life by our best reasoning but to walk in the light as He is in the light. This means keeping our eyes fixed on Christ, not on our sense of responsibility, ability, or even spiritual duty. Obedience to Him requires no argument, no justification—it is simply responding to His life in us, moment by moment.
Prayer of Trust
Father, You have given me everything I need in Christ. I reject self-reliance and the subtle urge to lean on my own wisdom. Instead, I trust Your life in me to guide each step, knowing that You are the source of all wisdom, strength, and direction. I rest in the resurrection life of Jesus, confident that He is my way, my truth, and my life. Thank You for the freedom of walking in the light as You are in the light. Amen.
đź“· Photo Credit: Unsplash