DO YOU BELIEVE – OR DO YOU JUST BELIEVE IN?

DO YOU

Can you say…

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord

He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.

He descended to the dead.

On the third day He rose again.

He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Universal Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Amen.

Do you also believe in…

         

Please listen, dear friends, Many will say to Jesus on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then He will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

There is an important difference between believing IN something and BELIEVING. Those who BELIEVE Jesus, what He said and how He lived and what He has commanded us, are the ones who obey and keep His words.

But, those who do things because they just “BELIEVE IN” them, are the ones who are ‘practicing lawlessness’, and this is because they do things by their own will and volition.

So, if you say you believe IN Jesus, but do not do what He says, the way He says it, perhaps you simply believe IN Him.

The demons believed IN Jesus and shuddered, (see James 2:19). Interestingly, however, they shuddered because they also BELIEVED HIM. They BELIEVED and KNEW that Jesus meant every word He said, and He had the authority to do what He said.

Do you believe In Him – AND – Believe Him at His Word?

Do you know that Jesus said what He meant and meant every word He said – exactly as He said it?

Do you know and believe Jesus has the authority to DO what He said – and He will do it?

Do you ever shudder at the words of Jesus – knowing He will do what He says?

The Apostle James explains to us that, “faith works WITH your works. It is the result of your works that faith is perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called a friend of God. You see, that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone”. (see James 1:22-24).

So, if you say you BELIEVE IN Jesus. But do you really BELIEVE HIM, if you neglect to DO exactly what He has said?

Not everyone who says to Jesus, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of His Father who is in heaven will enter.

You might say, “this isn’t fair. I am trying to do what He has commanded. I love Jesus. I honestly love Him!”

Okay, let’s talk about loving Jesus.

Jesus says, “If you LOVE ME, you will KEEP My commandments”, (see (John 14:15). In fact, a deeper look at this verse you will discover that the word “keep”, “téreó” in the Greek language, means to guard and to watch over, to continue to observe. This can be compared to the relationship between a baby and his or her mother. The mother watches and guards over the infant, lovingly nourishing her baby emotionally and physically. And the baby watches his or her mother intently, attaching to her in every way, until the infant, out of the deepest love only a baby can have for a mother, begins to reflect and imitate the mother’s expressions and behaviors which will endure of its lifetime.

So it is with us, who truly LOVE Jesus. As He watches over and guards us and nourishes us in every way, we watch Him in a true love relationship that only a born again believer can experience, until we begin to take on His attitude, expressions and behaviors out of a love only a child of God can truly know.

Additionally, this word “keep” could also be used to mean “obey”. For example, John 14:21 says, “The one who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and the one who loves Me will be LOVED BY My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him.” This is from the word, as we have discussed, “téreó”.

There is the word, “peithó”, as used in Hebrews 13:17, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account—so that they may do this with joy, not groaning; for this would be unhelpful for you”. This word means to “obey” in the sense of obligation through persuasion. An external influence and control.

There is also the word, “hupakouó”, found in Ephesians 6:1, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right”, which is to “obey” and authority figure out of duty. This is also used as a soldier would obey orders. Again, and external influence and control.

There are other meanings and uses of this word “obey”, all related to external commands.

But God is using the word “téreó” to express obedience through a relationship built on love and trust.

It is the one who not only BELIEVES IN JESUS, but the one who both BELIEVES IN HIM and BELIEVES HIM is the one who LOVES Him

The one who BELIEVES Jesus is the one who is the child of God. (John 1:12).

The one who BELIEVES Jesus is the joint-heir with Christ. (Romans 8:17).

The one who BELIEVES Jesus is called a friend by Jesus. (John 15:15).

The one who BELIEVES Jesus is the one who shall inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 5:3).

Conversely, and in love,

If you think you are important in the Kingdom of God, then you are not.

If you think you are not arrogant, then you are.

If you are proud of your accomplishments in the Church, you are simply proud.

If you think your ministry is vital in the Kingdom of God, it is not – and you need to check your vitals.

You have heard it said to Love God first. I say, Love the Lord your God, alone. Only He is worthy.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and all your strength. Then, Love others as God loves.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(PS: I talk to many Christians who misquote scriptures or say, “but here is what I believe” with little or no scriptural basis for their thoughts. It is like driving a car for the first time, with no steering wheel.)

(PSS: These are things I also need to learn, and that, I pray, I am learning, late in life, but thanks be to God, He is still teaching, and it’s never too late!)