Trusting God sounds easy—until you actually have to do it. We’ve all been there. Saying, “I trust God,” is simple, but proving it by our actions, choices, and decisions is an entirely different story. I recently reflected on this during a message I shared with my church. Trusting Jesus, I’ve found, is both incredibly difficult and incredibly rewarding. It’s about faith in action, choosing daily to live out the trust we profess.
The Roots of Our Trust
Think about where our sense of trust originates. For many of us, it starts with our parents. If our parents were trustworthy, it becomes easier for us to trust others. However, negative experiences like broken relationships or betrayals can leave us guarded and skeptical. Maybe a car has failed you repeatedly, a boss didn’t follow through on promises, or someone you deeply trusted broke your heart. Such experiences can make us wary of trusting again. Yet, despite all human failings, Jesus remains perfectly trustworthy.
Jesus, the True Light
In John 12:36, Jesus said, “Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.” This verse resonates deeply with me. Jesus invites us into a place of trust—not blindly, but confidently, based on His proven character and promises. Even when it seems God is silent or distant, trusting means continuing to walk forward, confident that He will confirm and guide in His perfect timing. I’ve experienced moments of doubt, asking God to show me clearly or send confirmation, only to find that as I stepped out in faith, His guidance became clearer and clearer.
Jesus also assured us, “I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark” (John 12:46). Without Jesus, I honestly can’t imagine the darkness we would endure. Without Him, what hope would we cling to? Who or what would guide our decisions, our values, our very purpose? Because of Jesus, we have clarity, direction, and peace. He commands us gently, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”
The Cost of Not Trusting
Personal experience has taught me the cost of not trusting God. Years ago, there was a situation where I chose to rely on my own wisdom rather than seeking God’s guidance. The consequences were stressful and costly, both financially and emotionally. After much prayer, God graciously rescued me, but the lesson stuck: Trusting Him from the start always leads to a better outcome.
Trust doesn’t come naturally to everyone. It’s something that often has to be learned—or relearned—through experience. Sometimes we only really understand what it means to trust God when we’re backed into a corner, when all our resources fail, and we find ourselves saying, “God, I have no other choice but to trust You.” And that’s when we discover that trusting God isn’t weakness—it’s strength.
Embracing True Discipleship
Trust isn’t a passive belief; it’s actively living as Jesus’ disciple. We often hear churches say we need to be disciples and make disciples—but what does this truly mean? Recently, I prepared a sermon about discipleship, only to discover I’d shared almost the exact same message years earlier. Clearly, this topic matters deeply to my heart!
Jesus gave us clear instructions in Matthew 28:18-20, known as the Great Commission. We are called to “go and make disciples of all nations,” baptizing and teaching them to obey everything Christ commanded. This is our task, our privilege, and our responsibility.
Building Bridges, Not Walls
But let’s be honest: discipleship isn’t accomplished solely by attending church or isolating ourselves in comfortable Christian bubbles. While Christian community and media feed and nurture us spiritually, we must engage intentionally with the world around us. Non-Christians need to see the genuine hope, joy, and love that Jesus offers. Our lives should provoke curiosity, leading others to wonder about our faith.
The Apostle Paul often entered synagogues or marketplaces to share Christ with the people where they were. Likewise, we must find ways to step into our communities, workplaces, and neighborhoods with open hearts, ready to reflect the light of Christ in everyday situations.
Walking Alongside New Believers
This curiosity opens doors to share Jesus clearly and lovingly. When someone receives Christ, we have the wonderful opportunity to disciple them—to teach, guide, and mentor them in following Christ. But we must never assume new believers automatically know how to follow Jesus. Practical questions like, “What does salvation mean? How do I have a devotional life? How do I pray effectively?” need clear, practical answers.
Many people come to Christ with only a vague idea of what it means to follow Him. They may know they’re saved, but they often don’t know how to grow. That’s where we come in. We need to help them understand the basics: daily Bible reading, prayer, Christian community, resisting temptation, walking in the Spirit, and the importance of being part of a local church.
One of the most meaningful things you can do as a mature believer is take someone under your wing and show them how to walk with Jesus. Don’t wait to be perfect. Just be willing.
Discipleship is a Team Effort
Pastors play a role from the pulpit, but personal discipleship often happens in the quiet moments of everyday life—over coffee, during a walk, in conversations that matter. Sometimes, people just need someone to say, “Let’s read the Bible together. Let me pray with you. Let’s meet once a week and grow together.”
One resource I love is the Lessons on Assurance from the Navigators. It’s simple, powerful, and structured. Some people will complete it on their own, others will need your help every step of the way. Either way, you’re doing kingdom work.
We All Have a Role to Play
It would be amazing if every person in our church committed to doing three things: attending worship, being part of a small group, and actively discipling or serving someone else. Imagine the spiritual growth. Imagine the lives changed. This is the heartbeat of a healthy church.
Tozer once said, “True discipleship is obeying Jesus Christ, learning of Him, and doing what He tells you to do, keeping His commandments and carrying out His will. That kind of person is a Christian. No other kind is.”
What Is a Disciple, Really?
The simplest definition? A disciple is a learner, a follower. Socrates had disciples. So did Gandhi. But to be a disciple of Jesus is something entirely different. It’s not just about following a philosophy. It’s about entering into a transformed life with Jesus Christ at the center.
Joseph Stowell wrote in Following Christ that in Jesus’ day, calling someone a “follower” wasn’t just a casual label. It meant something profound—it defined your whole identity. Just like we might say, “She’s a doctor” or “He’s a firefighter,” people knew what it meant to be a follower of Christ. It affected everything.
So, does your life reflect that identity? Would someone looking at your daily routine and your decisions be able to tell you’re a follower of Jesus?
It’s About Relationship, Not Religion
Jesus doesn’t call us into a life of duty and drudgery. He calls us into a relationship of love and grace. John 15:12 says, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” I know Jesus loves me—not just because the Bible tells me so, but because I’ve experienced it. He’s walked with me, forgiven me, redirected me, and never given up on me.
Following Jesus isn’t about earning His favor—it’s about living in response to the love He already lavished on us.
From Servants to Friends
In John 15, Jesus says something extraordinary: “I no longer call you servants… instead, I have called you friends.” That hits home. We’re not just on Jesus’ team—we’re in His inner circle. He wants to teach us, lead us, and empower us to carry out His mission.
Imagine a CEO saying, “I don’t want you just working the line—I want to show you the heart of the business.” That’s what Jesus offers. He invites us to know Him deeply and to invest in what He’s doing in the world.
Fruit That Lasts
Jesus chose us to bear fruit—eternal fruit. When we stay in step with Him, pray according to His will, and obey His voice, amazing things happen. Sometimes it takes time. Sometimes we don’t see the results immediately. But our role is to be faithful. His role is to bring the increase.
Our lives should produce fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. But also, the fruit of changed lives—people who come to know Jesus because we pointed the way.
Don’t Get Distracted
One of the greatest tactics of the enemy isn’t to get you to fall into sin—it’s to distract you with lesser things. Work, success, financial gain, busyness, fear—these can all derail us from our purpose. Hebrews 13:5 reminds us that God is our provider and our helper. We don’t need to chase after things to find security. We find it in Him.
I remember a season in my life when work became everything. I was always busy, always tired, always running. And then I made a shift. I started giving God the first part of my day again. I invited Him into my work. I prayed over my projects. And I saw things begin to change.
Take His Yoke
Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me… you will find rest for your souls.” His way isn’t always easy, but it’s never too heavy. When we follow Him, we find strength and peace we never thought possible.
Sometimes we chase degrees, jobs, or accomplishments thinking they’ll bring us satisfaction. But Jesus said, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?” (Luke 9:25)
Give your life fully to Him. Let Him lead. He will take you places you never dreamed possible—and you’ll be eternally glad you said yes.
A Prayer to End With
Jesus, thank You for inviting us to trust You, to walk with You, and to follow You. We confess that sometimes we know what to do but just don’t do it. Help us to take the next step. Help us to embrace the adventure of discipleship. Empower us to invest in others and reflect Your love every day. Make us fully devoted followers of You. In Your name we pray, amen.
Let’s go make disciples—starting now.
12.0108 Sold Out for Jesus – Living as His Disciple