Are You Living by Faith or Cherry-Picking Faith?

It’s easy to say we live by faith when God’s Word agrees with what we already want to do. But what happens when Scripture challenges us? What happens when God asks us to forgive someone we don’t want to forgive, love someone who is difficult to love, give when we would rather hold on, wait when we want to move, or trust Him when we cannot see the outcome?

Sometimes we can fall into the trap of cherry-picking our faith. We hold tightly to the promises of God that bring us comfort while overlooking the commands of God that require obedience.

We love “I can do all things through Christ,” but what about “deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me”?

We love hearing that God will provide, but are we willing to trust Him when the provision hasn’t arrived yet?

We love receiving grace, but are we extending that same grace to others?

Faith isn’t choosing the parts of God’s Word that fit comfortably into the life we already want to live. Faith is allowing God’s Word to shape the life we live.

Proverbs 3:5–6 says:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
— Proverbs 3:5–6 NKJV

Notice it says “in all your ways.” Not some. Not just when it’s convenient. Not only when we understand.

All.

So today, ask yourself:

Am I truly living by faith—or am I cherry-picking the parts of faith that are comfortable for me?

Following Christ means trusting Him with the comfortable parts, the difficult parts, the parts we understand, and especially the parts we don’t.

Don’t just believe the parts of God’s Word that fit your life. Let God’s Word transform your life.

— Rev. Carlos Figueroa
TheFreeBible.org