Help Others Trust and Obey
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Do you remember being taught this simple refrain from the classic hymn as a child? The words are almost too simple, but they’re truly life changing: the Christian life can be boiled down to trust and obey.
So, as we help others in the body of Christ do what God has called them to do, all we really need to do is help them trust and obey.
Love. Know. Speak. DO.
Of course, it’s never that straightforward! But Romans 12:14–21 is a wonderful passage to help us understand the simplicity of a “trust and obey” lifestyle.
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
One of the most important questions to ask in discipleship is, “Who is responsible for what? God or you?” As you minister, you will tend to encounter three classes of people.
The first group is made up of people who are irresponsible. They fail to recognize and take ownership for the obedience responsibilities that God has placed on them. They don’t do enough.
Conversely, you will encounter those who are overly responsible. These people try to take responsibility and exercise sovereignty over things that God has not assigned or equipped them to do. They try to do too much.
Then there is the middle class, probably the largest of the three. I have to admit, I’m in this class (and you probably are, too!). We swing between not obeying enough and not trusting enough.
Sometimes I try to do too much, attempting to be God—not trusting in his divine, often mysterious and invisible, sovereignty. Other times I don’t do enough, failing to obey his revealed will and explained responsibilities that are laid out in his Word.
In the context of Romans 12, God uses the Apostle Paul to explain our duties in the face of mistreatment while also making it clear that there are things we must not take as our responsibility and leave to the Lord.
Put simply, we must do what God has called us to do in a spirit of joyful obedience, while with a spirit of humble trust, believe in and wait on God to do what he alone has promised to do.
In the case of discipleship relationships and ministry within the body of Christ, we are called to help others see and understand this “trust and obey” lifestyle, applied specifically to whatever they are experiencing.
As we hold these principles of taking personal responsibility and trusting divine sovereignty before people, we not only help others change, but we continually reintroduce them to Christ—the only Person where lasting joy and true hope can be found!
A Prayer for Today: Lord, help me to be a person who takes seriously the call to trust and obey in my own life before I begin to help others do the same in theirs. We trust your promises, your word, and your grace, and we obey what your will says for our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.
God bless,
Paul Tripp
Discussion Prompt for Children:
• “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” What do you think it means to be a person who trusts and obeys God? Why is it so difficult for us to live a life of trust and obedience to God?
• What are some ways we can help others trust and obey? How can you and I help each other to trust and obey God?
Reflection Questions
1. In what ways have you been irresponsible (not doing enough) or overly responsible (trying to do too much) in your relationship with God? How have those approaches been frustrating or discouraging to you? Are you more tempted to live a lifestyle of irresponsibility or over responsibility?
2. As you minister to other people, what might be some telltale signs that he or she is acting in consistent irresponsibility or over responsibility? How might you specifically move into his or her life in a godly attempt to help them trust and obey?
3. In the past, why do you think it is so difficult for you to believe in and wait on God to do what he alone has promised to do in someone else’s life? Has this been a consistent struggle for you? Why do you think that is?
4. How can we point others in the right direction and reintroduce them to Christ? Why is he the only one who can provide lasting joy and true hope in their lives? Why is he the only one who can provide lasting joy and true hope in your life?