What Love and Trust Look Like

September 26, 2023

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8 NLT

I just finished an appointment with a 40’s single man who has been through a very tough life to this point. He had a hard start in life but owned the fact that he had added to his birth issues and family dysfunction by his own choices. He said that he had been “loved” inadequately and conditionally until a few years ago and it caused deep shame, inferiority feelings, and a total lack of trust to thrive in his mind and heart. He believed he was unlovable, no one had loved him ever, and no one ever would.

Then in prison he met Jesus. He said, “I suddenly realized I had no part in making Jesus love me. He loved me because … well, just because He loved me. He wasn’t looking for anything from me. He wanted me to follow Him, not FOR Him, but for me—so He could help me get the life He had died to give me. Somehow, I decided to trust that, and I leaned into faith that He did.”

How did he do that? He trusted that Jesus was trustworthy. He was the One who knew him best, loved him best, and was God Himself. He believed that Jesus died and rose again and was alive forever. He believed that, though he had no idea what to do, Jesus would be with him. He told Jesus, “I believe that You are God and that I need You. Tell me what to do and I will do it. I trust You to take me where You are going.”

Then my friend said, “I can’t believe how my life has changed. I am still alone technically, but I don’t feel alone. I know Jesus is with me. I have found a great church home and I have friends I am trusting since I trusted Jesus. Nothing has been a quick change for me. I was so broken and messed up. But I know this—when you really trust Jesus, He doesn’t ditch you because you disappoint Him or don’t get your act together on anyone’s schedule. He just wants you to trust Him, and He steadily, persistently transforms the thoughts and perspectives you thought were unalterably part of you.”

So, I asked him what real love looks like to him now. He said, “It’s like Jesus. Commitment before you have done anything to deserve it.”

And what does trust look like? “Complete commitment to the One who loves you like that.”

He’s not a theologian, but he’s got it. That’s what the love and trust that leads to salvation looks like.

• Jesus, You have loved me without reason. That gives me more than enough reason to completely trust and follow You.