Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – September 2, 2020
Then Jesus said to the [Gentile] woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel. But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!” Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table. “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed. Matthew 15:24-28, NLT
People who are not followers of Jesus can move closer to believing in Jesus by trust in God. Trust in God is a spiritually healthy step toward trusting Jesus as the only way to God. So when someone genuinely believes in God, in general, she is a good candidate to trust Christ in particular for her eternal salvation. Not an atheist—a God fearer, but yet to come to faith in Jesus alone to atone for her sins. A mom may pray to God to heal her child and through the work of the Lord to make her daughter physically whole. The mother’s faith may grow to a total trust in Jesus as her Savior, such is the story of the Gentile woman Jesus and His disciples encountered.
Jesus was focused on leading His people out of the bondage of unbelief, when a God-fearing foreigner approached Him—to worship Him. This loving mom approached with a genuine and passionate plea for Jesus to heal her sick daughter. A mother’s faith ignited when she heard of others being healed by the teacher from God, and some, whom she respected, were confident He was the Messiah prophesied about in the Scriptures. Her hope was focused on Jesus, the man from God, who could do the works of God. Her great trust in Jesus invited great love from Jesus!
“I will also bless the foreigners who commit themselves to the Lord, who serve him and love his name, who worship him and do not desecrate the Sabbath day of rest, and who hold fast to my covenant. I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalem…because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations” (Isaiah 56:6-7, NLT).
Someone you know may believe in God, but he has yet to believe Jesus is God. Be patient with his unbelief—as so many times Jesus has been patient with your unbelief. There is faith to trust Jesus for salvation through His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. This level of faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord is your conversion to Christianity. After you are “saved” by grace through faith in Christ, you are called to trust and follow Jesus Christ. Faith to become a Christian and faith to follow Jesus as a Christian. Great trust experiences the love of the Lord to save us from our sins and the love of the Lord to grow us more like Jesus. Great trust; Great love.
The more we encounter the great love of the Father, Son, and Spirit in Scripture, prayer, creation and all around us, the more we are inspired and instructed to help unbelievers in Jesus experience the love of Jesus. The love of Jesus by forgiving their sins. The love of Jesus to heal their heart or a loved one’s physical body. The love of Jesus to convert selfish anger to selfless service. The love of Jesus to call out injustice and demand justice. The love of Jesus to forgive. Great trust in Jesus invites the great love of Jesus. His great love forgives, heals and gives hope.
“Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong” (Ephesians 3:17).
Prayer
Precious Lord, give me great trust in you to experience your great love, in your name, amen.
Application
Who do I know who believes in God, but does not believe Jesus is God? How can I help them experience the love of Jesus, so he can one day trust Jesus as his Savior and Lord?
Related Reading
Psalm 13:5, 31:10, 143:8; Galatians 2:20; 1 Peter 1:8; 1 John 4:16
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