The Bible teaches us that it is impossible to please God without faith. On the surface this sounds pretty straight forward, until we need to make a decision which tests our faith. Many times we struggle with the question, “What if I make the wrong choice?” If we stay in that struggle too long, eventually our cautiousness will give way to unbelief. So, why is faith in God so hard for us? The reality is much of the time what we call “faith” is merely our agreement with some ideas or principles regarding Jesus rather than real CONFIDENCE in and ALLEGIANCE to Jesus. Jesus is the object of our faith. If anything, this should embolden us as it did the first century church. I believe God did some utterly amazing things because the people who were part of the New Testament church were risk takers. Ironically, they got some things wrong and every now and then they would need to recalculate. Martin Luther King Jr. said that “Faith is the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” Following Jesus means we’re going to have to move, even when we don’t see a clear way ahead. We’re going to have to move, even if we don’t know if the decision we’re about to make is the “right” one. We have to take the first step, and just put our toe in the water even if we’re scared. We can’t let fear paralyze us. So, what is that first step for you? Is it asking a woman in your church out for a cup of coffee to get to know her better? Is it leaving that job for a new opportunity? Is it opening up your home and inviting strangers in for Bible study or home group? Is it asking your husband to come with you to a conference like Reclaiming the Gospel? Is it starting a new God-work or ministry? Listen, if you risk nothing, just remember that you will be rewarded on the basis of that nothing. So, will you allow your faith to be marked by your action or your caution?
