Even the strongest Christian cannot honestly lay claim to perfect faith. Some days we’re strong, others weak. We may have confidence in one area of life and lack it in others. As long as we live in these mortal bodies of ours, we will struggle with weaknesses, failures, and sins.
The good news, however, is two-fold. First, as God’s children we have been given the immeasurable blessing of living under the protective umbrella of his grace (Rom. 6:14; 8:1). Second, we have God’s unfailing promises that he will strengthen, help, and walk with us as we trust and obey, leading to greater maturity. Consider some of these promises:
- “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10).
- “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8).
- “…for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” (Heb. 13:5-6).
- “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psa. 84:11).
- “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32).
- “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me” (Psa. 50:15).
Let us remember, though, scripture does not teach that we sit passively and wait for God to force us into action. God’s help does not cancel our free-will or remove our responsibility to act (Phil. 2:12). But when we have admitted our dependence on God, asked for his help, and affirmed our trust that he will help us as he said, then we can and should step out in faith and act. That’s living by faith (Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 5:7) and “serving by the strength which God supplies” (1 Pet. 4:11).