Believing

"And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him." Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)

I'm not about to preach religion here, I'm all about "relationship" with the God that created you and me and what He requires of those who want to know Him and have relationship with Him. You may follow any sect of Christianity or none at all, but unless you have a relationship with God based on His requirements as opposed to just practicing a religion, or nothing at all, you might never actually know Him ... but you will answer to Him.




The "altar call" - I've heard it so many times. My first memories of it began in my youth and it was repeated for years in different church buildings that I've attended in the past. It was the call to anyone desiring to accept Christ as their Savior - to come forward and have the opportunity to be prayed with - often to repeat a simple prayer to become "saved". I used the word "was" because I've not heard it in its more passionate form for many years. And while I believe there have been many who have been saved at the altar, I have to confess that I've held this "process" somewhat suspect at times. I fear that so many are left at the altar not fully understanding that there's more to it than simply reciting a few words and I've watched their lives after. Our journeys with God are personal and require the truth - what He's said, not perfunctory religion.

"If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me." Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT)

I answered an alter call myself when I was around 8 years old, but my "relationship" with Jesus sputtered, sparked again, lagged, faded, sparked again, grew and then faltered again for years after that. It wasn't until I began questioning myself about what I actually "believed" and why I "believed" it that I began to experience the real life changing relationship with Jesus that I "believe" we're all created for. I had to prayerfully study and understand what I'd heard and read - in order to truly believe.

"The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”" Acts 16:29-31 (NLT)

The verb "believe" ... that was my issue. It's easy to say that we believe in something, but sometimes another matter in actual practice. I think there are other people in the world like I was back then, whose ears hear scripture and transmit the words to their brain where they're received and may be acknowledged, but beyond a possible passionate reaction in the moment ... they don't go much farther or do much. I think this may happen more often than some might want to "believe". Head knowledge and heart conviction are sometimes animals completely unrelated. What may be missing for some is the sincere seeking and conviction that Father God responds to. When I've called out in sincerity, seeking relationship with Him, He's responded every time - but in His time.

Believe:

be·lieve

/bəˈlēv/

verb

1. accept (something) as true; feel sure of the truth of.

Opposite: disbelieve

2.hold (something) as an opinion; think or suppose. 

- Google Online Dictionary

I'm not a huge fan of this dictionary, but when I saw it, this definition jumped out at me because of two words - "accept" & "hold". We have many passing beliefs every day, when judging whether or not it's safe to cross the street, determining something is ripe, is finished or too this or that. We make our judgment and discard it when it's no longer needed or pertinent to our ongoing lives. But when we're talking about the things that God's said and made known to us, His word never changes and neither does He. So what He's commanded and what He's taught us, including what He's said about us and our future has not changed. If we believe Him, we "accept" what He's said and "hold" onto it as the overriding standard and guide for our lives regardless of what might be going on in the world. We don't just say a few words and then go back to the world's party.

There's a third word I would add to the other two for my own purpose here, and that's the word "respond". If we truly believe something, we respond to it, if what we believe requires action. In this case, believing God does require response from us to what He's told us. If we believe Him, we'll give Him what He requires. If we don't respond, I have to wonder, do we actually believe Him? I'm no one's judge of their faith. I'll let God judge that, but it's a question that maybe some should be asking themselves while they can ...

I've said it before and I believe it firmly - that a world that must see to believe ... will never experience what must be believed to be seen. I think this issue may have left even a few would-be, fledgling Christ followers disillusioned. One scriptural example of the power of unbelief to override what God might otherwise desire to do is found in the following passage. In His own hometown Jesus was unable to do much for the people because of their unbelief ... I wonder how much we miss in our own lives because of ours...

"Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their unbelief." Mark 6:4-6 (NLT)

I wasn't fully able to experience God's presence in my life and a living relationship with Christ on a daily basis until I understood enough to have truly believed. Now I look for little miracles on a daily basis that He sometimes uses to remind me of His presence and of His love for me. I have confidence now that no matter what happens in this world, or to me personally, I'm not alone and I have no reason to live in fear - my life is firmly in my loving creator's hands. His care of me surpasses anything I can do for myself ... and I have this comfort and security ... because I believed Him.

If you're struggling with believing God but want to, take a hint from the father in the following passage - just ask God to help you with a sincere heart...

“How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he was a little boy. The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:21-24 (NLT)

Believing God is a personal thing - between you and Him. He wants you to believe Him, but believing Him requires accepting what He's said, holding onto it as the truth above any other and responding to it as He requires - all of these in proper context.

Believing - "accept", "hold" & "respond". It's the key that opens the door to everything that Father God's holding in His hands for you - more than you could ever see without first believing.

"Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” John 20:27-29 (NLT)

I'm believing. You?

"No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8(NLT)