Resting on the Clarity of Faith

“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9

The wise at heart makes the decision to rest, trust, and embrace the truth. It’s that simple. Precious and wise truths are entrusted to us—they are unmerited gifts. Some may refer to belief or faith as a crutch. An untrue crutch is of no value eternally. But if the truth is, indeed, true then a crutch is not a crutch at all. Instead, it’s a wise decision to lean into, press into, and bank your life upon what is true. Truth not only establishes a good foundation; it establishes the foundation. Why demean, belittle, or devalue our foundation and call it a crutch? If truth is a false crutch, then the cross is cruelty to those of us who would believe and bank our lives upon it.

“For it stands in Scripture: ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’” 1 Peter 2:6

It’s wholly right to lean into and stand upon our firm foundation. Otherwise, we are like pre-redeemed Paul. Kicking against that truth. He had lived in rebellion and is now, as a new believer, telling King Agrippa what took place on the road to Damascus. He explained that Christ encountered him, and he was surrounded by a bright light. Paul said he fell to the ground and “…heard a voice saying…‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads’” (Acts 26:14).

What intrigues me is the lesson Paul is faithfully passing on to King Agrippa. When you’re encountered by God, don’t kick against him or his message. Honestly, it’s just not very smart. Again, call it a crutch if you want, but a true crutch is wise to embrace. In fact, it is ignorance to kick against truth.

Paul’s message to King Agrippa is applicable to me today.

I recently revisited an old hymn I had not thought about in a while. And it perfectly describes this truth regarding the crutch of faith.

“My faith has found a resting place, Not in device nor creed; I trust the Ever-living One, His wounds for me shall plead. I need no other argument, I need no other plea; It is enough that Jesus died, And that He died for me.“ Eliza E. Hewitt, “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place”

My ability to have faith is not the issue. My faith has found a place it can fully lean into and fully rest in without any shadow of doubt. I need no other argument. I need no other plea. It is enough that Jesus died for me.

Is he enough? Is he enough anytime in my life but especially when loss has been thrust into my world? In their song, “Weep with Me,” Rend Collective reminds us that, “What was true in the light, is still true in the dark…” What is only known by sight and experience must be placed beneath what is known by faith.

Faith is clear; sight is confusing. What’s true in the light of Scripture is true in the dark of loss. Relax and rest in the clarity of the faith entrusted to us once for all.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5