Understanding key spiritual principles in everyday language
Faith is something that goes beyond just believing—it’s about trusting deeply and living in alignment with that trust. When we talk about having a living faith in God’s Word, it means letting God’s teachings truly guide our lives, not as empty words, but as a source of strength and inspiration. This kind of faith becomes alive through the Spirit—an inner energy that helps us connect to God’s truth and act on it.
Faith and Peace with God
Jesus opened the way for all people to enter the kingdom of heaven simply by believing in Him. This belief leads to us being “justified by faith,” which is a fancy way of saying that through trusting in Jesus, we are made right with God. And this brings a deep sense of peace—a peace that helps us live confidently, knowing we are loved and supported by something greater.
The Just Will Live by Faith
Living by faith means letting trust in God shape our daily actions. It’s not about perfection or doing everything right, but about staying committed to what’s truly good and meaningful, even when life is tough. Faith gives us the clarity to focus on what matters most.
Deception and Suppression
Deception—whether it’s about misleading others or being misled ourselves—keeps us from living in truth. Similarly, suppressing people by constantly shifting boundaries, like through manipulative practices such as gerrymandering, can limit freedom. But true freedom, as Bonhoeffer points out, is not about doing whatever we want. It’s a freedom that comes with responsibility—a responsibility to uphold justice, truth, and goodness.
Finding Peace in Faith
Faith in God was the foundation for everything Bonhoeffer did. Through this faith, he gained clarity to distinguish what was truly valuable in life from what was superficial. This vision helped him to see what was essential for human life and guided his actions for the betterment of humanity.
What Faith Inspires
Bonhoeffer’s faith inspired qualities like a steady mind, a never-giving-up attitude, and a deep love for people and truth. But he didn’t pursue justice, honesty, and goodness just for their own sake. His actions were rooted in obedience to God, whom he relied on completely. For Bonhoeffer, the source of all goodness and truth was God, and his dedication to these principles was an expression of his loyalty to God.
Using Freedom Responsibly
We’re called to use our freedom with care—a freedom given to us by divine grace, not to glorify ourselves, but to maintain the divine order of human life. Bonhoeffer believed in humanity’s spiritual freedom, yet he saw it as a gift meant to uphold justice and truth, not for self-serving purposes.
Beware of Self-Righteousness
One key warning is against self-righteousness and complacency. Both are seen as grave sins because they close us off from the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When we act like we have all the answers or grow indifferent to others’ struggles, we lose sight of the humility and openness required to truly live in God’s truth.
A Call to Action
This isn’t just about abstract ideas—it’s a call to live with purpose, humility, and responsibility. Faith isn’t passive; it’s an active commitment to align our lives with greater principles like justice, truth, and compassion. To truly honor God, we must live in ways that reflect these values, both in how we treat others and in how we make decisions.
Through faith, we find not only peace but also the strength and clarity to navigate life’s challenges. It compels us to be responsible in using our freedom, to fight against deception and suppression, and to live as reflections of truth, justice, and goodness.
Minister A Francine Green, April 2026
afrancinegreen.com 