The Source of Trust and Confidence

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

The definition of trust is defined as the assured belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.* It is a reliance on the truthfulness or accuracy of : BELIEVE; to place confidence in; dependence on something future or contingent : HOPE. The distinction between the secular definition of trust and the biblical one is the source; where assurance, confidence, reliance, hope come.

Trust is the assured belief in something. An assured belief (assurance meaning we believe or are sure, confident that something is true). The secular definition of assurance and confidence is a reliance on one's self. In fact, we can no longer use a secular dictionary to define biblical trust as the main focus is on self-reliance, and self-confidence... in other words, it relies on self, one's own ability, and strength. Thus confidence is built upon one's self, ability, and work. In the biblical sense, this would be equivalent to building one's house upon sand. Biblical trust comes not from self but from an external source or foundation.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock (Matthew 7:24:29)

Notice that in the secular definition of trust, we see elements of faith; faith exists assurance, or confidence, and hope.* But true faith has an external foundation.* This foundation comes not from self but a reliance and confidence and assurance in God and his faithfulness. Believing is the work of God.* Thus faith exists things not seen because its assurance, hope and confidence come not from self but from God. Our part is to trust in God, and if our trust and faith comes from something external and not from ourselves then we must partake of that which gives it to us.

I am the vine, you are the branches, the one abiding in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5)

Earlier we read the wise man is the one who does the words of Jesus. The words of Jesus increase faith as faith comes from the word of God, Jesus being the word of God. The seed is implanted in the child of God and grows up to bear fruit. They are planted and nourished from an external source, "like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream" and will bear fruit in due season. The source from which obedience bears fruit is faith. Our job is to abide in the external source. This is the main difference between secular trust and biblical trust; between positive thinking and transformation or the renewing of the mind*; between self-confidence and self-reliance and the reliance on God in whom our confidence comes.

blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is in him...

Blessed are those who understand such truth, who experience it in their mind and soul, they will bear fruit, some thirty, some sixty, and some hundredfold. They are blessed and the source or substance or evidence exists though it is not seen. The external source gives life, like a tree planted by a river they will bear fruit. Imagine an oasis in a desert with palm trees. There exists a source of water though for miles around there is no life. The trees have their roots in the source, it matters not the circumstances around them, the scorching of the sun on the desert sand, as long as they abide in the water and the water abides in them, they will bear fruit in season.

Lord, Stand By Me

"... present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness ." 1 This word for present means "I bring, present, come up to and stand by," it is parístēmi (from pará, "from close-beside" and hístēmi, "to stand") – properly, stand close beside, i.e. ready to present (exhibit). I pray Lord stand by me which expresses that I put my trust in Him, or I come up to and stand by Him. We use phrases like surrendering or bowing at the cross to explain such a moment, surely it is a coming to the end of ourselves and it is desirable that I find His will acceptable, but it is important to understand that it is about trust, not my will power, the key is that it is in Christ. The terminology the scriptures use is "present yourselves to God," or come up to and stand by and walk with Him. "... present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this...

Sin Made Explicit: The Sign

Accountability Before the Mosaic Law Romans 5:12–14 shows that sin and death were already present from Adam onward. Even without a codified law, humanity’s conscience testified to God’s invisible attributes (Romans 1:19–20). Creation itself functioned as a witness: the order, beauty, and power of the world revealed God’s divine nature, leaving mankind “ without excuse ” (Romans 1). Thus, even before Sinai, people were accountable through conscience. The Law was given to the Jew who were under its guard. The Gentiles, who were not under the Mosaic covenant, Paul writes in Romans 2:14–15 “show the work of the Law written on their hearts, their conscience bearing witness." Accountability from Adam’s Transgression and the Mosaic Law Romans 5:18: “therefore just as one transgression [Adam’s] brought condemnation to the extent of all men…” Sin existed universally without a codified law, though the conscience exposed it. Romans 5:13: “For until the Law sin was in the world, but sin...

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity: Spirit, Soul, and Body

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity: Spirit, Soul, and Body in Biblical Understanding The human being, as depicted in the Bible, is a multifaceted creation, often understood through the distinct yet interconnected components of spirit, soul, and body. While some theological perspectives lean towards a bipartite view (soul and body), which we do see in the Old Testament, a careful examination of the New Testament scripture reveals a compelling case for a tripartite understanding, where each is divided into or composed of three parts. Let’s explore the biblical distinction between spirit, soul, and body. The Body: Our Earthly Vessel The body is the physical form that interacts with the material world. From the very beginning, Genesis 2:7 states, " Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being ." This verse clearly establishes the body's origin from the earth, emphasizing its connec...

Blessed Are The Forgiven

Blessed! the one whose lawless deeds are forgiven and the one whose sins are covered over, blessed is the man whom sin, the Lord will not consider . * Paul writes David foresaw and spoke " blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered . * Blessed, is the one whom sin is not considered, this word considered means "to credit, count, reckon, to set down as a matter of account; regard, think, consider." This blessing comes through faith and according to grace, " also David speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God considers righteousness apart from works ." * The word for lawless deeds speaks of the violation of the Law and the word for sin speaks of missing the mark of God's righteousness. Blessed are those who (by faith in Christ according to grace) have been forgiven. In Him receiving the redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of trespasses according to the riches of His grace . * This fundamental ...

All Who Are Thirsty

“ Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. .." (Isaiah 55). " Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price ." Buy is defined as to acquire the ownership of by giving an accepted price or consideration therefore; to accept or believe as true .[ 1 ] When we buy something we consider the price that we must pay, we accept this and purchase the thing we have considered worthy of the sacrifice we make in payment. W e can not buy, with money or price, redemption from t his tragic flaw we are born into. However Jesus paid the price for us, so we buy or accept through consideration, the Greek word is logizomai.[ 2] ...

Spirit of Life

" Indeed, the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus liberates from the law of sin and death ." 1 This word for liberates "I free, set free, liberate" is from a root word meaning free, exempt, not bound by an obligation. As partakers of God's divine nature, being born of Spirit, we are no longer obligated to the sinful nature but to righteousness which is God's nature. When we believe we receive the Spirit of promise, a guarantee of our inheritance, a great testimony that we are His children, it is a Spirit of Life. " Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." 24 The Son came not to condemn the world but to save it. "One trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. " 6 " He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and wa...

Theological Comparison of the New Covenant of Grace and the Old Covenant of the Law

Theological Comparison of the New Covenant of Grace and the Old Covenant of the Law: A Detailed Study Rooted in Ephesians 2:11–22 Introduction The theme of covenant is central to the biblical narrative, shaping God’s relationship with humanity from creation through redemption. The new covenant is called by Paul a ministry of reconciliation, righteousness, and of the Spirit. The shift from the old Mosaic covenant—rooted in the Law given to Israel at Sinai—to the new covenant of grace established in Christ, fundamentally redefines how people approach God, community, and salvation. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, particularly 2:11–22, provides a remarkably clear and rich theological exposition of this transition, addressing not only the spiritual implications for Jews and Gentiles but also the very nature of the church as God’s new creation. This report develops an in-depth, paragraph-driven theological comparison between the old and new covenants, structured around nine key themes de...

The Children of the Promise

not all the children of Abraham are descendants, rather "in Isaac that your descendants are called." This means it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God but the children of the promise are counted as descendants (Romans 9:7-8) The concept of "The Children of the Promise" is deeply rooted in Scripture, offering a profound understanding of God's covenant with humanity. Romans 9:8 declares, "That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring." This verse serves as a cornerstone in grasping the distinction between mere physical descent and the spiritual lineage established through faith in God's promises fulfilled in Christ. Abraham, often called the father of faith, exemplifies this spiritual inheritance. Genesis 15:6 affirms, "And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness." Abraham's faith in God's promises, ra...

The Gospel Message According to John (with Romans 5-8 Supporting)

1. The Universal Problem All are under sin and death through Adam’s transgression (Romans 5:12). This law of sin and death reigns over mankind apart from the law of the Spirit of life in Christ (Romans 8:2). Teaching Point: The universal problem is that because of Adam's one transgression, all are judged and condemned (Romans 5:16). This is the plight of mankind, but the gospel is good news. God sent his Son to solve this universal problem. Whether people are good or bad is revealed by the light of Jesus, see The basis of judgment in point 5. Thought : Seems unfair that mankind is judged and condemned because of Adam's transgression. We would have done the same, but God had a plan in the beginning that really deals with man freely loving him or not. The kingdom of God is like a fisherman catching both good and bad fish, in the end keeping the good and throwing away the bad. The basis of judgment, discussed...

Imputed Righteousness in Pauline Theology: Faith, and the Gift of Righteousness

Imputed Righteousness in Pauline Theology: Surrender, Faith, and the Gift of Righteousness Introduction: The Centrality of Righteousness in Pauline Thought The question of how humans are made right with God—how righteousness is obtained—lies at the very heart of New Testament theology. Nowhere is this question more thoroughly addressed than in the writings of the Apostle Paul, especially in his epistle to the Romans. Paul’s unique emphasis on imputed righteousness —the belief that God reckons or counts believers as righteous because of their faith in Jesus Christ, not because of their adherence to the Mosaic Law—shaped Christian doctrine decisively, drawing sharp contrasts with both Jewish legalism and later Christian movements that have sought to emphasize human cooperation in salvation. This essay systematically explores the concept of imputed righteousness as presented in Paul’s writings, with Romans as the focal text, integrating its relationship to surrender, faith, the...

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