God acts. This is something I didn’t fully realize until I came to a saving relationship with Jesus in 2015. Before that point, the idea of God’s mighty acts in my life was a concept that I never really took to heart as a teen. My pride was too engulfed in my acts. Growing up in a Christian household, I knew the reality that Jesus died for my sins. However, deep down in my heart, I didn’t believe that the gospel demands nothing of me. As a teen, I demanded excellence of myself to the point that I failed miserably to look to the God who acts on my behalf. I thought that there had to be something I could do to make Jesus love me more. I would ponder to myself, “There has to be a part of the salvation plan of God that requires me to be perfect,” or, “Maybe perfection would give me more bonus points with God.”
I lived life with an attitude of me, myself, and I. Life was centered around me and my wants. I demanded excellence of myself in athletics, the classroom, and even in church. I strived to be perfect, and the only way I thought to accomplish that was to perfect the art of being the best. Part of being the best in my mind was receiving approval from others. My identity was wrapped in that task. I sought identity in what I said about myself and what others said about me. At the end of the day, my life was sunshine and rainbows only if I had won the approval of others. I acted on my desires rather than delighting in God’s mighty acts of salvation.
In 2015, my life was completely transformed when I came to root my identity in Christ’s work alone. God acted on my behalf, and He did so at the cross. Christ is my champion who won the victory over death and sin at the cross completely. He is your champion. God has said He will act, and it is good for us to cling to this amazing gospel promise.
This reminds me of the Old Testament story of David and Goliath. The Israelites feared greatly what the giant could do to them, but David came on the scene and defeated the giant without the people’s help. David was the champion for the Israelites, who contributed nothing to the defeat of Goliath. Jesus Christ is our champion whose victory is our victory despite us bringing nothing to the table. His victory is counted to us. What an amazing gospel truth and comfort for us!
Since coming to Christ, I still struggle in moments of pride. I struggle to be faithful to Christ. I struggle to trust in the God Almighty who acts on my behalf. As II Timothy 2:13 says, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” Praise be to God that He remains faithful even when I am not. On a daily basis I am reminded of God’s mighty acts of salvation in my life. What about you? Psalm 37:5 says, “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it.” Do you believe this? God has acted on your behalf at the cross. God will act for you in life’s trials. God’s Word says in Exodus 14:14, “The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.” Come, marvel at the God who acts for you.
Isak Olson [FLS third year] is a member of Living Hope, Rogers, Minn.
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