Do You Really Believe?
There are many people who can easily quote John 3:16. This verse is embedded into fabrics like T-shirts and ties, placed in quaint picture frames and Christian posters, and often used on religious billboards and signs. Yet, for all the “knowledge” of God’s love, fewer and fewer people are experiencing and sharing His love in this world. The reality is that anyone can quote Scripture until they are blue in the face, but until God’s Word penetrates the understanding of the mind and the passion of the heart, it profits little.
The depth of words is often lost in today’s society. For example, the word “believe” has been used so many times with the sappy statement, “Believe in yourself,” that it now bears a watered-down connotation. It is a little pinch of trust mixed with good feelings. So for some people, when they hear a person say, “Believe in Jesus,” it is almost like hearing Peter Pan declare, “Think happy thoughts!” Undeniably, happy thoughts will not transform the wickedness of the heart.
In light of this, we must ask ourselves: what does it scripturally mean for one to believe in Jesus? The Greek word for believe implies a continual, concrete trust in someone or something. In salvation, it goes deeper—to continually entrusting one’s entire being and welfare to Jesus Christ (1 Peter 4:19). Paul expounds even further on salvation and believing in Christ when he wrote, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).
The notes in the Geneva Bible Translation sum up the meaning of “confess” well by stating, “If you profess plainly, sincerely, and openly...” Believing in Christ entails that outwardly we honestly and unashamedly acknowledge Him as our Savior, and inwardly we enthrone Him as our Lord. It is where we give Him full reign over our lives while renouncing all other influences. He alone is to be the ruler of our hearts.
Also, such belief encompasses trusting that Jesus rose again. This is so crucial! Notice what Peter says in 1 Peter 1:3: “Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! God has given us a new birth because of his great mercy. We have been born into a new life that has a confidence which is alive because Jesus Christ has come back to life” (GWT). My faith, hope, and joy rest in the resurrection power of Christ. Praise God that Jesus is alive, and His Spirit is living in me! This is true Christian belief.
