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Building Trust in God's Sovereign Plan and Purpose

Building trust in God's sovereign plan and purpose involves a deep reliance on God's character and promises, which is often expressed through the biblical concept of faith. Faith, in its primary sense, is trust—a persuasion of the mind that a statement is true and therefore worthy of reliance [4]. This trust is not a blind leap but is built upon knowledge and evidence, admitting various degrees up to full assurance [4].

The biblical call to trust in the Lord is frequent and foundational. For instance, Psalm 37:3 exhorts, "Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness" [1]. Similarly, Psalm 4:5 encourages offering "the sacrifices of righteousnes, and trust in the Lord" [2]. This trust implies a confidence that God has the believer's best interests at heart [10]. Such confidence is achieved "through Christ toward God" [3].

This trust is not merely an intellectual assent but involves the whole person, as Proverbs 3:5 states, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart" [17]. John Gill, in his commentary on Proverbs, emphasizes that this trust is to be placed in the Lord alone, not in human achievements, possessions, or even religious duties, but in God as "the object of all grace" [17].

The concept of "assurance" is closely linked to trust and faith. Assurance is produced by faith [5], and it is described as a "fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt" [7]. This full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:22) is an unwavering conviction in the truth of Scripture's declarations [7]. It is confirmed by love and made full by hope [5]. The resurrection of Jesus serves as God's pledge or "assurance" that His revelation is true and worthy of acceptance [7]. Believers can have assurance of their election, redemption, adoption, salvation, eternal life, and God's unalienable love [5].

Hope is another essential component in building trust in God's plan. Hope is directed towards God, Christ, and God's promises [6]. It is described as a work of the Holy Spirit, obtained through grace, the word of God, the comfort of the Scriptures, the Gospel, and faith [6]. This hope is characterized as good, lively, sure, steadfast, gladdening, and blessed [6].

The Christian life, characterized by trust in God, involves specific conduct. This includes believing God, fearing God, loving God, following God, obeying God, and rejoicing in God [8]. It also extends to believing in Christ, loving Christ, following Christ's example, and obeying Christ [8]. This conduct is about living to Christ, to righteousness, soberly, righteously, and godly [8].

The process of building up oneself in faith and trust is often described using architectural metaphors. Believers are "rooted and built up in him" (Colossians 2:7), with Christ as their root and foundation [15]. John Gill notes that this metaphor expresses the safe and happy state of believers, who derive their life and nourishment from Christ [15]. Adam Clarke, commenting on Jude 1:20, speaks of "building up yourselves" by having "the most holy faith—the Gospel of our Lord Jesus, and the writings of his apostles, for your foundation" [16]. This building process involves seeking all grace and glory from Christ, who is the sum and substance of the Gospel [16].

The church itself is built by wisdom, which John Gill identifies with Christ, on a foundation against which "the gates of hell can never prevail" [12]. This building up is a communal effort, where God gives different special abilities to each believer for the purpose of strengthening the church [13]. These gifts are intended "to equip God’s people to do his work," signifying that all believers are called to active Christian service [14]. The ultimate goal of this ministry and building is for the entire Christian community to deepen its understanding and experience of the Christian faith, gaining a profound knowledge of God’s Son, leading to maturity in Christ [11]. This maturity means becoming "fully like Christ" through the transforming work of the Spirit [11].

Trust in God's sovereign plan also fosters holy boldness. This boldness is exemplified by Christ and is achieved through faith in Him [9]. It is a characteristic of saints, produced by trust in God, the fear of God, and faithfulness to God [9]. This boldness allows believers to express their trust in God and to approach God in prayer with confidence [9]. Ministers are also called to exhibit boldness in their faithfulness to their people and in their preaching [9].

In essence, building trust in God's sovereign plan and purpose is a dynamic process rooted in faith, nurtured by hope and assurance, expressed through righteous conduct, and collectively built up within the community of believers, all centered on Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Sources

  1. Psalms “Psalms 37:3 (NASB) — Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.”
  2. Psalms “Psalms 4:5 (Geneva1599) — Offer the sacrifices of righteousnes, and trust in the Lord.”
  3. 2 Corinthians “2 Corinthians 3:4 (NASB) — Such confidence we have through Christ toward God.”
  4. 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 ”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Assurance — Produced by faith -- Eph 3:12; 2Ti 1:12; Heb 10:22. Made full by hope -- Heb 6:11,19. Confirmed by love -- 1Jo 3:14,19; 4:18. Is the effect of righteousness -- Isa 32:17. Is abundant in the understanding of the gospel -- Col 2:2; 1Th 1:5. Saints privileged to have, of Their election. -- Ps 4:3; 1Th 1:4. Their redemption. -- Job 19:25. Their adoption. -- Ro 8:16; 1Jo 3:2. Their salvation. -- Isa 12:2. Eternal life. -- 1Jo 5:13. The unalienable love of God. -- Ro 8:38,39. Union with God and Christ. -- 1Co 6:15; 2Co 13:5; Eph 5:30; 1Jo 2:5; 4:13. Peace with ”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hope — In God -- Ps 39:7; 1Pe 1:21. In Christ -- 1Co 15:19; 1Ti 1:1. In God's promises -- Ac 26:6,7; Tit 1:2. In the mercy of God -- Ps 33:18. Is the work of the Holy Spirit -- Ro 15:13; Ga 5:5. Obtained through Grace. -- 2Th 2:16. The word. -- Ps 119:81. Patience and comfort of the Scriptures. -- Ro 15:4. The gospel. -- Col 1:5,23. Faith. -- Ro 5:1,2; Ga 5:5. The result of experience -- Ro 5:4. A better hope brought in by Christ -- Heb 7:19. Described as Good. -- 2Th 2:16. Lively. -- 1Pe 1:3. Sure and steadfast. -- Heb 6:19. Gladdening. -- Pr 10:28. Blessed. -- Tit ”
  7. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
  8. 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”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Boldness, Holy — Christ set an example of -- Joh 7:26. Is through faith in Christ -- Eph 3:12; Heb 10:19. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 28:1. Produced by Trust in God. -- Isa 50:7. The fear of God. -- Ac 4:19; 5:29. Faithfulness to God. -- 1Ti 3:13. Express your trust in God with -- Heb 13:6. Have, in prayer -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16. Saints shall have, in judgment -- 1Jo 4:17. Exhortations to -- Jos 1:7; 2Ch 19:11; Jer 1:8; Eze 3:9. Pray for -- Ac 4:29; Eph 6:19,20. Ministers should exhibit, in Faithfulness to their people. -- 2Co 7:4; 10:1. Preaching. -- Ac 4:31; Ph”
  10. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 31:6: 31:6-8 Trust in the Lord requires confidence that he has our best interests at heart.”
  11. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:13: 4:13 The goal of ministry is for the whole Christian community to understand and experience the Christian faith more deeply and gain a deeper knowledge of God’s Son. In this way, believers will be mature in the Lord (see 1 Cor 2:6; 14:20; Phil 3:15; Col 1:28; 4:12; cp. Heb 5:14; Jas 1:4; 3:2). The standard of maturity is Christ himself; the Spirit’s transforming work is to make people fully like Christ (Rom 8:29).”
  12. Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 24:3: Through wisdom is a house builded,.... A family is built up, furnished and supplied with the necessaries and conveniences of life, and brought into flourishing and prosperous circumstances, by wise and prudent management, by diligence and industry, through the blessing of God upon them, without taking such methods as evil men do. The house of God, the church of the living God, is built by Wisdom, that is, by Christ; on a good foundation, a rock, upon himself, against which the gates of hell can never prevail; see Pro 9:1. Every good man's house, himself, his soul, a”
  13. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:7: 4:7-16 Though believers share a common faith, God has given different special abilities to each individual believer for building up the church. 4:7 He has given each one of us a gift of his grace for building up the community of believers (see 1 Cor 12:7; cp. Rom 12:6; 1 Cor 12:11).”
  14. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:12: 4:12 God’s gifts are given so that believers will build up the church (see 1 Cor 12:7; cp. 1 Pet 2:5). • to equip God’s people to do his work: All believers are called to active Christian service.”
  15. Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 2:7: Rooted and built up in him,.... By these metaphors, the apostle expresses the safe and happy state of these believers; and which he makes use of as arguments, to engage them to walk on in Christ, and as pointing out the manner in which they should. Believers are sometimes compared to trees, and are trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord; and their root is Christ, from whence as such they spring, and by whom they are filled with the fruits of righteousness; in him they are to abide, keep close unto him, and walk in him; deriving all their life, nourishment”
  16. Jude (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Jude 1:20: Building up yourselves - Having the most holy faith - the Gospel of our Lord Jesus, and the writings of his apostles, for your foundation; founding all your expectations on these, and seeking from the Christ who is their sum and substance; all the grace and glory ye need. Praying in the Holy Ghost - Holding fast the Divine influence which ye have received, and under that influence making prayer and supplication to God. The prayer that is not sent up through the influence of the Holy Ghost is never likely to reach heaven.”
  17. Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 3:5: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart,.... Not in a creature, the best, the holiest, and the highest; not in any creature enjoyment, as riches, strength, and wisdom; nor in any outward privilege, arising from natural descent and education; not in a man's self, in his own heart, which is deceitful; nor in any works of righteousness done by him; not in a profession of religion, or the duties of it, ever so well performed; not in frames, nor in graces, and the exercise of them; no, not in faith or trust itself: but in the Lord, the object of all grace, and in him only;”
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