I’ve been thinking about faith a lot lately for a couple of reasons. First, I’m teaching a first-year composition course with the theme Faith Formation in College. The second reason I’m thinking about faith is because I’m in bible study group and we’re studying the book of Romans.
In Romans I’m surrounded by reminders that I am saved by grace through faith and that’s not even my own doing. It’s a gift of God, so I can’t boast about it (Ephesians 2:8). I thank God for the small amount of faith He gave me to believe His word that says He sent Christ to the earth and then to the cross as my substitute because I was born a sinner (John 3:16). I was not only born a sinner, but I also lived a sinful life until I accepted Christ’s act of atonement for me.
I see why people get tripped up about salvation. It seems too simple. How can it be that I don’t have to do anything except believe Christ is who God says he is, who He Himself says He is in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? Even though it might be simple, that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Having faith in Christ means I have to resist the very fabric of our world. The world teaches that If you want something, you have to work for it. Nothing is free. While that may be true in the world, it’s not true in the kingdom of heaven, unless by working we mean working out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Even then the type of required only mental work: obedience to the Lord, drawing near to him (through prayer), and belief.
I have been reminded through my students’ writing that even belief in Christ is not belief without a hint of doubt. My students have reminded me in their essays that believing God is not always a straight line of progression. We have moments…sometimes months of doubt, like Thomas(John 20:27). We need reassurance like Jesus did when he said, “Father if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me. Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Most importantly faith itself is not what saves me, it’s who my faith is in. It’s in Christ alone.
If you’re struggling with doubt, first know that moments of doubt do not negate your faith in Christ. Secondly, remember that your walk with Christ is a journey. As long as you’re walking with Him, you’re going in the right direction. Finally, especially if you’re a student, please find a group of like-minded believers who will encourage you to hold tightly to your faith in Christ as others jockey for your attention. Remember this truth, “whoever believes in Him, will never be put to shame” (Romans 9:33).
