Steps of Faith – The Lawyer And Faith
Here is the fork in the road. The lawyer’s beliefs were absolutely right.
Steps of Faith – The Lawyer And Faith
Loving God involves our beliefs (mind), our faith (heart), and our might (our bodies moving in trust). Trust is belief and faith put into motion. As we look at the lawyer’s encounter with Jesus a critical moment arrives.
In Luke 10, a lawyer tested Jesus: “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus turned the question back on him. The man was correct about the Law: love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.. but Jesus pressed in: “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”
The lawyer:
Had the right beliefs.
Knew the law.
He sought the advice of Jesus.
He desired eternal life.
This was his “step of faith moment”. His faith would either grow or shrink here. Then came the critical moment. Wanting to justify himself, he asked, “And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus responded with the parable of the Good Samaritan. A man is beaten and left for dead. “Good people” pass him by while a Samaritan—someone the lawyer would have despised—stopped, treated his wounds, took him to an inn and payed for his care.
Who was the neighbor in that scenario? The lawyer said it was the one who showed mercy.
“Go and do likewise” challenged Jesus.
Here is the fork in the road. The lawyer’s beliefs were absolutely right and he had enough faith to step toward Jesus. But now, trust is the next step. Trust would require something more. He would have to start acting on his beliefs. The truth in his head has to travel to his heart and then affect his hands and feet.
In other words, the talking part is done. Now, it’s time to live out what he believes.
Belief alone leaves us on the sidelines. Faith that never becomes trust stays theoretical. Trust transforms us into people who go where they are needed, do what needs to be done and live out our faith the way the Samaritan did.
That’s how we become more like Jesus.
The critical moments define our faith. Do we shrink back and just talk more or will we trust Jesus enough to take that step of faith and “go and do likewise”?
