Understanding the Meaning and importance of Faith and Trust in the bible

[JesusFollowerForever]

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."​

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Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.​

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A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked​

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Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.​

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Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.​

Faith and trust are two essential principles in the Bible, but they are not the same. Faith is believing in God and His promises, even when we cannot see the outcome. Trust is relying on Him completely, surrendering control, and acting on that faith. Both are necessary in our relationship with God. The Bible provides many examples where faith and trust go hand in hand, showing us how to depend on God in all situations.

Faith is believing that God exists, that His promises are true, and that He will do what He says. It is described in Hebrews as, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) Faith is more than just knowledge; it is trust in God’s character and a willingness to follow Him, even without seeing the full picture. Abraham is a powerful example of faith. When God promised him descendants as numerous as the stars, Abraham believed, even though it seemed impossible. Because of this, God counted him as righteous, saying, "And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness." (Genesis 15:6) Later, Abraham’s faith was tested when God told him to sacrifice Isaac, the very son through whom the promise was to be fulfilled. "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son." (Hebrews 11:17) Abraham had faith in God’s promise and trusted that God would provide, even if it meant raising Isaac from the dead. His faith was not just belief—it was followed by action.

Trust is deeper than faith. It is the willingness to depend on God in every situation, even when circumstances seem uncertain. The Bible teaches, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6) Trust is not just believing in God—it is living every day with the assurance that He is in control. Moses showed great trust in God when leading Israel out of Egypt. When the Israelites were trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea, fear overcame them. But Moses trusted in God’s power, declaring, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today." (Exodus 14:13) Moses acted on that trust, stretching out his rod as God commanded, and the Red Sea parted. This demonstrates that trust requires action—standing firm in God’s promises and obeying His commands.

One of the most striking examples of faith and trust is found in Peter’s experience of walking on water. "And Peter answered Him and said, 'Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.' So He said, 'Come.' And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, 'Lord, save me!' And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?'" (Matthew 14:28-31) This passage illustrates that faith begins with believing, but trust must be maintained even in the face of fear and uncertainty. Peter had enough faith to step out of the boat, but when he doubted, his trust wavered, and he began to sink. Jesus' response shows that trust keeps faith strong.

Jesus demonstrated the highest level of faith and trust in God. He knew the Father’s plan of salvation and fully trusted in it, even when it led to suffering and death. Before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done." (Luke 22:42) Even in His greatest trial, Jesus trusted the Father completely. His trust led to the ultimate sacrifice, bringing salvation to all who believe.

Faith and trust are inseparable. Faith is believing in God’s promises; trust is living by those promises, even in difficulty. Faith believes that God will act, while trust moves forward based on that belief. Abraham believed God would give him a son, but he also obeyed when God told him to leave his homeland. Faith is foundational, but trust is applied. The Israelites had faith when they saw miracles in Egypt, but they failed to trust God when they faced hardship in the wilderness. Faith grows through trials, and trust sustains us during them. When challenges arise, trust helps us remain steadfast, knowing God is faithful.

Faith brings salvation, as Jesus said, "He who believes in Me has everlasting life." (John 6:47) Trust brings peace, for "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." (Isaiah 26:3) Faith leads to obedience, for "Faith without works is dead." (James 2:26) Trust deepens our relationship with God, for "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD." (Jeremiah 17:7)

Faith and trust are essential for a life devoted to God. Faith believes in God’s promises, and trust acts on that belief. Abraham, Moses, and Jesus all demonstrated how true faith leads to complete reliance on God. As we face challenges in life, we must not only believe in God but also trust Him in every step. When we place our full trust in God, we will see His faithfulness and experience His peace, knowing that He is always in control.

Blessings.

 

[d taylor]

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A great quote from
Zane Hodges
Nowhere do we find in Scripture, “He who trusts in Me has everlasting life.” Jesus called people to believe in Him, not to trust in Him.

Full article here
The Subtle Redefinition of Faith via Trust – Grace Evangelical Society

If Trust Is Not a Good Word for Faith, What Is? – Grace Evangelical Society

What Is the Difference Between Trusting God and Believing Him? – Grace Evangelical Society

 

[JesusFollowerForever]

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​

A great quote from
Zane Hodges
Nowhere do we find in Scripture, “He who trusts in Me has everlasting life.” Jesus called people to believe in Him, not to trust in Him.

Full article here
The Subtle Redefinition of Faith via Trust – Grace Evangelical Society

If Trust Is Not a Good Word for Faith, What Is? – Grace Evangelical Society

What Is the Difference Between Trusting God and Believing Him? – Grace Evangelical Societ

The relationship between belief and trust in Jesus is foundational to the Christian faith, and it is essential to understand how both concepts intertwine. Some may assert that Jesus called people to believe in Him, not necessarily to trust in Him, but a deeper examination of Scripture reveals that trust is not only an integral part of belief, but it is also a vital expression of it.

In the teachings of Jesus, belief is not a mere intellectual acknowledgment of His existence or His teachings; it is an active, life-transforming trust in Him. For instance, when Jesus tells His disciples in John 14:1, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me," He is not simply asking them to acknowledge His divinity. Rather, He is inviting them to place their full trust in Him, even in the midst of uncertainty and trouble. The statement "Let not your heart be troubled" indicates that Jesus desires His followers to trust in Him for peace and security. This trust transcends intellectual belief and touches the core of the believer’s heart, offering assurance that God’s presence and guidance are always available.


The invitation to trust is not just a call to acknowledge Jesus’ identity; it is a summons to rely on Him completely for salvation, direction, and sustenance. In John 6:35, Jesus says, "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." The belief Jesus refers to here is not abstract belief in His teachings or existence, but a trust in His provision. He is offering Himself as the spiritual nourishment that satisfies the deepest needs of the soul. Belief in Jesus as the "bread of life" involves a trust that He is the ultimate source of spiritual fulfillment, something that cannot be obtained by any other means.

This trust is rooted in the recognition that belief in Jesus is not passive or theoretical. The Greek word pisteuo, which is translated as "believe" in the New Testament, carries the connotation of trust and reliance. It signifies a belief that compels action, commitment, and reliance upon Jesus for salvation and transformation. This is evident in passages like John 14:6, where Jesus declares, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." To believe in Jesus as "the way" is to trust Him as the only path to God. This belief is not just a mental assent to a doctrinal truth; it is a radical trust in Jesus' ability to bring one into relationship with God. It is a trust that shapes every part of a believer’s life.

Moreover, Jesus’ call to trust in Him is not limited to His role as the Savior. He also invites His followers to trust Him for daily guidance and sustenance. In John 3:16, perhaps the most well-known verse in the Bible, Jesus promises eternal life to those who believe in Him. To believe in Him in this context is to trust that His sacrifice on the cross provides forgiveness and the gift of eternal life. This is not just about acknowledging the fact of Jesus’ death and resurrection, but about personally trusting in the sufficiency of His work for one's salvation.

Belief in Jesus is consistently linked with the concept of trusting Him in all aspects of life. To confess Jesus as Lord and believe in His resurrection involves a profound trust in His authority and power. It is a trust that demands action, a turning away from self-reliance to complete reliance on Him. Such faith is dynamic, not static, and its foundation is the trust that Jesus is who He claims to be and will do what He promises to do.

The relationship between trust and belief is not limited to the salvation experience. It extends to the ongoing life of discipleship. Jesus' call to follow Him, as seen in Matthew 16:24 and Luke 9:23, requires a willingness to deny oneself and take up one's cross. Such a radical call to self-sacrifice is only possible through a deep trust in Jesus. His followers are asked to place their trust in Him for the strength and grace to live out this difficult calling. Trusting Jesus means surrendering control and following His lead, even when the path is uncertain or challenging.

Belief in Jesus is far more than an acknowledgment of His existence; it is a trust that transforms how one lives and relates to Him. Trust in Jesus is not merely supplementary to belief—it is essential to it. Jesus calls His followers to trust in Him for eternal life, daily guidance, and the strength to live a life of obedience and faithfulness. Without trust, belief remains incomplete, for true belief is always intertwined with trust—a reliance on Jesus for all that He promises to provide. Therefore, to believe in Jesus is to trust in Him fully, knowing that He is the source of all hope, salvation, and fulfillment.

Here is another example of trust from the new testament, from Matthew 8 (NKJV);

Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant​

5 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”
7 And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
8 The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! 11 And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

 

[d taylor]

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Show me in any of my post i have made, that i state believing in Jesus, means to believe Jesus existed.

If you do not understand what belief in Jesus means, I will write it again.

Belief in Jesus means a person believes Jesus is who he says He is The Son of God/The Messiah, the resurrection and the life. And that believing this about Jesus, is how a person receives God's free gift of Eternal Life.

Many people (maybe you are one) believe in Jesus, but they are not believing in Jesus for Eternal Life and that is a big difference.

 

[JesusFollowerForever]

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Show me in any of my post i have made, that i state believing in Jesus, means to believe Jesus existed.

If you do not understand what belief in Jesus means, I will write it again.

Belief in Jesus means a person believes Jesus is who he says He is The Son of God/The Messiah, the resurrection and the life. And that believing this about Jesus, is how a person receives God's free gift of Eternal Life.

Many people (maybe you are one) believe in Jesus, but they are not believing in Jesus for Eternal Life and that is a big difference.

Of course I believe Jesus came and gave the believers, those who follow him, obey HIM and do God's will eternal life.

 

[d taylor]

Of course I believe Jesus came and gave the believers, those who follow him, obey HIM and do God's will eternal life.

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That is not the belief i have repeatedly said The Bible state that gives people God's free gift of Eternal Life.

 

[JesusFollowerForever]

ah, you mean everyone no exception?

 

[stevevw]

Yes faith and trust and the more you trust the more faith you have and the more faith you have the more trust you have until you just know that God is the only way.

Sometimes that takes setbacks where you don't trust God because its harder to let go of or out of fear. But God guides you and never makes it impossible for you to move forward. He is gentle, kind and understanding in that way.

I have been thinking about the teachings and how people today change them and water them down. Just don't believe what is written. It creates distrust and leads to a lack or loss of faith.

God is a God of order and He does not make his word unclear or there to be two truths. There is only one God and His Son Jesus and there is only one truth. Even though postmodern belief will have us believe that Gods word is up for interpretations to conform with modern society.

God is the same from the beginning to the end and the scriptures are given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

So its vital to accept the clear teachings no matter if they are in conflict with todays PC society. Paul says to stay true to the teachings no matter what.

2 Thessalonians 2:15
So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

1 Corinthians 16:13: "Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong."

When we don't then there is disorder and chaos. But when we stand firm on the truth with Christ though it may be a thorn in the side as far as being out of step with this world. There is no denying that it will shine a light of purity and rightiousness to the world that will make people look to God in seeing Christs example.