Trust and Obedience in Decision Making in Christianity
Trust and Obedience in Christian Decision Making
In Christianity, trust and obedience are fundamental aspects of a believer's relationship with God. The concept of trust is deeply rooted in the biblical understanding of faith, which is not merely intellectual assent but a persuasion of the mind that leads to trust [1]. Obedience, on the other hand, is the practical outworking of this trust, demonstrating one's commitment to following God's will.
The biblical basis for trust and obedience can be seen in various passages. For instance, 1 Peter 1:2 highlights the importance of obedience in the context of sanctification and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ [5, 7]. This obedience is not limited to a specific aspect of life but encompasses a broad range of actions and attitudes, including submission to rulers and authorities, as emphasized in Titus 3:1 [6].
The relationship between trust and obedience is closely tied to the concept of faith. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, obedience is commanded and is impossible without faith [3]. This underscores the idea that trust in God is a prerequisite for obedience. The biblical example of Christ's obedience to the Father serves as a model for Christian obedience, demonstrating that trust in God's sovereignty and goodness is essential for submitting to His will [2].
The importance of trust is further emphasized in Jeremiah 17:5-10, where trusting in humans is contrasted with trusting in the Lord. This passage highlights that trust in God results in obedience and is a disposition of the heart [10]. In the New Testament, 1 John 2:3-6 reinforces this idea, stating that obedience is a clear indication of knowing Christ and belonging to Him [8].
In Christian decision-making, trust and obedience are intertwined. When faced with decisions, Christians are encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty and providence, submitting their will to His. This involves a willingness to obey God's commandments and follow His guidance, even in the face of uncertainty or adversity. As seen in the example of Christ, self-denial and submission to God's will are essential aspects of Christian discipleship [4].
The role of trust and obedience in Christian decision-making is also reflected in the writings of early Christian interpreters. For example, Matthew Henry's commentary on 1 Peter 2:13 emphasizes the importance of submission to civil magistrates as part of a Christian's duty [9]. Similarly, John Gill's commentary on 2 Timothy 2:25 highlights the need for meekness and gentleness in instructing those who oppose themselves to the truth, demonstrating the importance of trust and obedience in interactions with others [11].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Faith — Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Phil. 1:27; 2 Thess. 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It admits of many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in accordance with the evidence on which it rests. Faith is the result of teaching (Rom. 10:14-17). Knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and is sometimes spoken of as an equivalent to faith (John 10:38; 1 John 2:3). Yet the two are distinguished in this respect, that faith includes in it assent, which is an act ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Obedience to God — Commanded -- De 13:4. Without faith, is impossible -- Heb 11:6. Includes Obeying his voice. -- Ex 19:5; Jer 7:23. Obeying his law. -- De 11:27; Isa 42:24. Obeying Christ. -- Ex 23:21; 2Co 10:5. Obeying the gospel. -- Ro 1:5; 6:17; 10:16,17. Keeping his commandments. -- Ec 12:13. Submission to higher powers. -- Ro 13:1. Better than sacrifice -- 1Sa 15:22. Justification obtained by that of Christ -- Ro 5:19. Christ, an example of -- Mt 3:15; Joh 15:20; Php 2:5-8; Heb 5:8. Angles engaged in -- Ps 103:20. A characteristic of saints -- 1Pe 1:14. Saints ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- I Peter “I Peter 1:2 (Darby) — elect according to [the] foreknowledge ofGod [the] Father, by sanctification of [the] Spirit, unto [the] obedience and sprinkling of [the] blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.”
- Titus “Titus 3:1 (BSB) — Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work,”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Peter 1:2 — Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”
- 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 2:3: 2:3-6 Obedience is one clear indication that we know Christ and belong to him. If we do not obey Christ, it is obvious that we do not belong to him or love him. • As we obey Christ and his commandments, our love for God and our knowledge of him will grow toward completeness and maturity. We will live . . . as Jesus did, in union with God and showing love for others.”
- 1 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Peter 2:13: The general rule of a Christian conversation is this, it must be honest, which it cannot be if there be not a conscientious discharge of all relative duties. The apostle here particularly treats of these distinctly. I. The case of subjects. Christians were not only reputed innovators in religion, but disturbers of the state; it was highly necessary, therefore, that the apostle should settle the rules and measures of obedience to the civil magistrate, which he does here, where, 1. The duty required is submission, which comprises loyalty and reverence to their pers”
- Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 17:5: 17:5-10 This meditation on the folly of trusting in humans is contrasted with the wisdom of trusting in the Lord. 17:5 Trust is the disposition of the heart that results in obedience (cp. 11:4; Deut 27:15-26).”
- 2 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Timothy 2:25: In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves,.... To the truth; resist it and deny it; or contradict some other tenets and principles of theirs, or the Scriptures, which they themselves allowed to be the word of God, and the rule of faith and practice, and so are self-convinced and self-condemned. These are to be instructed, being ignorant, and in a tender and gentle manner, though very perverse and obstinate. If God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth: repentance here designs a repentance of errors in principle, a cha”