Embracing God's Love: Faith, Justice, and Trust
Summary
Each of us carries deep questions that shape our journey with God. For some, it’s the struggle to live by faith rather than by formulas—learning that God’s love cannot be earned through performance or spiritual checklists, but is freely given to us as beloved children. The world often teaches us that success is a matter of input and output, but God invites us into a relationship where our worth is not measured by achievement, but by His unchanging love. When we let go of striving and rest in being loved by God, we find healing, restoration, and a new freedom to serve others from a place of grace rather than pressure.
Others wrestle with the role of the church and the believer in the face of injustice. Growing up in a context where faith was both a refuge and a risk, it becomes clear that following Jesus means more than private devotion—it calls us to open our doors, to act, to seek justice, and to love even when it costs us. The call to justice is not passive or conditional; it is rooted in the very heart of God, who sees every tear and every act of oppression. To reflect Christ is to hold together both grace and justice, to be peacemakers and advocates, and to refuse complacency in the face of suffering.
Still others face the question of whether God can truly be trusted, especially when life brings trauma, loss, and unanswered prayers. The journey of faith is not a straight line; it is marked by seasons of doubt, pain, and wrestling with God’s promises. Yet, even in the darkest valleys and the most overwhelming storms, God’s presence remains. Sometimes the answer to our deepest questions is not an explanation, but the assurance that God is with us—abiding, sustaining, and loving us through every high and low. Trust is not the absence of questions, but the willingness to bring them to the God who knows us, holds us, and never leaves us.
Key Takeaways
- Living by faith means letting go of formulas and performance-based spirituality. God’s love is not something to be earned or achieved; it is a gift to be received. When we stop striving to “do enough” for God and simply rest in being His beloved, we experience true freedom and transformation. [04:57]
- The call to justice is inseparable from the call to follow Jesus. Scripture commands us to seek justice, defend the oppressed, and act on behalf of the vulnerable—not only when it is safe or convenient, but especially when it is costly. The church is called to be a sanctuary for all, embodying both compassion and courage in the face of injustice. [19:20]
- Holding together grace and justice reflects the fullness of Christ. We are often tempted to emphasize one at the expense of the other, but Jesus embodies both perfectly. To truly know and follow Him, we must learn to extend mercy without compromising righteousness, and to pursue justice without losing sight of grace. [18:45]
- Trusting God does not mean we will never face suffering or unanswered questions. Faith is forged in the tension between our doubts and God’s faithfulness. Even when God’s promises seem distant or unfulfilled, His presence is the answer we need—He abides with us in our pain, and His steadfast love carries us through. [32:04]
- Our stories of brokenness, doubt, and struggle are not obstacles to God’s work—they are the very places where His grace is revealed. God redeems even our deepest wounds and uses them to shape our calling and witness. As we bring our questions and pain to Him, He meets us with healing, purpose, and the invitation to walk with others in hope. [08:51]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:31] - Early Ambitions and the Formula for Success
[01:47] - Encountering God and Redirecting Desires
[03:01] - Ministry Struggles and Marital Tension
[04:17] - Stepping Back and Rediscovering Relationship
[05:37] - Embracing God’s Love Over Rulekeeping
[06:50] - Restoration and New Calling
[07:30] - God’s Faithfulness in Failure
[08:12] - Prophetic Encouragement and Redemption
[09:35] - Wrestling with Injustice: A New Story
[12:25] - The Arab Spring and Questions of Justice
[14:21] - The Church’s Response in Crisis
[15:39] - Faith and Fear in the Face of Violence
[18:10] - The Icon of Christ: Grace and Justice
[19:20] - The Call to Action: Justice and Advocacy
[21:02] - Trusting God Amid Trauma
[23:38] - Faith in the Midst of Persecution
[24:20] - Childhood Trauma and Loss of Trust
[26:16] - A Pilgrimage of Trust: Rowing the Atlantic
[28:15] - Encountering God in the Depths
[30:42] - Healing, Community, and Ongoing Trust
[32:39] - Closing and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
Galatians 3:11-13 (ESV)
> Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.”
Isaiah 1:17 (ESV)
> Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.
Psalm 139:7-12 (ESV)
> Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.
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### Observation Questions
1. In Galatians 3:11-13, what does Paul say is the difference between living by the law and living by faith? How does this connect to the idea of “formulas” in our relationship with God? [05:37]
2. According to Isaiah 1:17, what specific actions are God’s people called to take in response to injustice? [19:20]
3. In Psalm 139:7-12, what does the psalmist say about God’s presence in the midst of darkness or difficult places? How did Ben’s story illustrate this truth? [28:52]
4. In the sermon, what were some of the ways people tried to “earn” God’s love or approval? What was the result of this approach? [04:57]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think it’s so easy to fall into a “performance-based” approach to faith, even when we know God’s love is a gift? How did John’s story show the impact of this mindset on his relationship with God and others? [04:57]
2. The call to seek justice in Isaiah 1:17 is described as active and costly. What might it look like for a church or individual to “open their doors” and act, even when it’s risky or uncomfortable? [14:21]
3. How does holding together both grace and justice reflect the fullness of who Jesus is? Why is it tempting to emphasize one over the other? [18:45]
4. In Ben’s story, he wrestled with trusting God after experiencing trauma and unanswered prayers. What does it mean that God’s presence is sometimes the only answer we get? How can this be enough? [32:04]
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### Application Questions
1. John shared about moving from striving to “do enough” for God to simply resting in being loved by God. Are there areas in your life where you feel pressure to perform spiritually? What would it look like to let go of that pressure this week? [04:57]
2. Darene’s church chose to open their doors and serve during a time of crisis, even when it was risky. Is there a situation in your community or city where you feel God might be calling you (or your group) to act for justice or compassion, even if it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable? [14:21]
3. The sermon talked about the temptation to focus on either grace or justice, but not both. Which one do you tend to emphasize in your own life or faith? How can you take a step toward holding both together this month? [18:45]
4. Ben’s journey showed that trust in God doesn’t mean the absence of questions or pain. When have you struggled to trust God in the midst of suffering or unanswered prayers? What helped you keep going, or what do you wish you had in those moments? [32:04]
5. The stories shared in the sermon highlighted how God can use our brokenness, doubts, and struggles as places where His grace is revealed. Is there a part of your story that you’ve seen God redeem, or that you hope He will redeem? How might sharing that with others bring hope? [08:51]
6. Isaiah 1:17 lists practical ways to seek justice and defend the vulnerable. Is there one action from this verse you feel prompted to take this week? What would be your first step?
7. The sermon mentioned that “trust is not the absence of questions, but the willingness to bring them to God.” What is one question or doubt you want to bring honestly to God this week? How can your group support you in that? [32:04]
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