By Faith

“What do you believe in?” asked Jason. “I mean, people have to believe in something, so what’s your deal?” Jason Thomas brushed the mixture of sweat and hair from his face with his arm.

“Do you talk all the time Jason?” Robb remarked in an aggravated tone. The two college students continued to dig a ditch along the edge of a campus sidewalk.

Jason grinned as he tossed a shovel of dirt into the wheelbarrow. “I like good healthy discussion. You, on the contrary, seemed frustrated when the subject touches home.”

Robb lifted his shovel into the air and slammed it into the dirt. He yanked a towel from his back pocket and swiped his face, then huffed. “Man, you wait until I’m burning up, working like a dog, and in no mood for conversation, then you hit me with some philosophic mumbo-jumbo.”

“It’s not philosophic, it’s spiritual. And it’s not mumbo-jumbo – it’s just a question, and besides, what better way to make this few hours of torture pass quickly, than some sort of intelligent conversation? So, what do you believe?”

Frustrated and short on answers, Robb snapped back. “I don’t believe in church, or God. I believe in the cosmos and that all things work for the greater good.”

Jason’s lips parted in a huge smile. He’d found his way into Robb. “Huh. That sounds just like scripture. Did you know you sorta quoted a scripture? Romans 8:28 says, “..in all things God works for the good of those who love him…”

“Man, you jerk everything around.” Robb said. “Okay, so I might have heard that in Sunday School as a kid. So go ahead, tell me what you believe. How do you justify this God thing?”

At last, Robb asked. Jason had waited for this opportunity for some time. This was his chance. He carefully considered his answer then said, “I believe Jesus died for me and because of that I am justified by faith. I have peace…inner peace.” He wiped his face again, and then went back to work.

“That’s it?” Robb squawked. “One sentence?”

“Acutally, two sentences, but yeah that’s pretty much it. Jesus died for me and I am justified by faith. Don’t you see that in my attempts to talk to you, Robb?”

Robb shook his head and began shoveling dirt again. This time the Jason’s words burned deep. He couldn’t quit thinking about them. God had taken root.

Romans 5: 1 tells us, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have a peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand…” Conviction comes to those who do not want to believe when it’s placed there by someone who consistently sets the example – someone who sows the seeds. It’s not our job to do the conversion; it’s simply ours to cultivate and plant the word.

As Christians we sometimes become caught up in the end result instead of preparing the ground work. Sometimes our job is simply to prepare. God handles the rest. We are justified by the faith we have in Christ, therefore we have every reason to share His good news. He justified us by dying for us. What an awesome thought. Now, go and share His word.

Prayer: Father, give me the courage to share my faith, and to instill the groundwork where You can work.”