The belief that makes you a Christian
Day 29
by Gini Crawford, MSW
Three key words in the Bible
In this section, we will explore the meanings of Biblical belief, faith, and trust: We will highlight their significance in the Bible, the way their definitions are similar, and how modern usage has watered down and misused their Biblical meaning.
Faith, a noun, is more prevalent in the New Testament, while believe a verb is frequent throughout the Bible, and the noun belief is less common. The Greek word pistis is commonly translated as faith and conveys assurance, conviction, or reliance, implying that one has been persuaded to trust in something or someone. The Greek word pisteuō is commonly translated as believe, and conveys being firmly persuaded that something is true so you trust in it. As you can see, trust is central to the definitions of both faith and believe.
Biblical faith described
Hebrews 11:1 gives the foundational understanding of Biblical faith: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." From this verse, we can understand Biblical faith as being assured and convinced of God and His promises. This assurance is not based on vague hope, but hope that is rooted in the trustworthiness of God and His Word. Faith is not blind but is a reasoned and learned conviction coming from God's Word, the guiding of the Holy Spirit, God's creation and the testimonies of those who have walked by faith. Faith enables us to believe truths that are not necessarily seen in our earthly existence - allowing us to embrace God, the spiritual realm, the concept of eternity, and the certainty of heaven. Biblical faith saves us and transforms us. (Acts 17:23-28; Romans 1:20, 10:17; 1 Corinthains 2:9-10; Hebrews 11). Explain Hebrews 11:1 in your own words.
An older teenager was told to join a gang. They would provide for him and keep him out of jail. He didn't want to join but felt he was stealing like them anyway, so why not. About that time, someone told him that Jesus had died for him so that his sins would be forgiven. The teenager was surprised anyone would want to forgive him, much less the God Who created everything. He put his faith in Jesus instead of a gang.
Faith an act of love
Ephesians 2:1-9, makes it evident that salvation needed to be by an act of love: "you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world ... following ... the sons of disobedience ... carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath ... But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved ... For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." It is clear given our inability to live up to God's righteous standard, salvation had to be through faith.
God's great love allowed us to be saved through a simple act of faith. We receive the gift of being saved from our sins like we would receive any gift, we take it. However, instead of using our hand to take the gift of salvation from God, we take it by faith in Jesus Christ. I went to the grocery store. A woman and I started talking about the price of eggs and her brother dying, and ended up talking about Jesus. She told me she didn't really know much about Jesus, so I shared about the gift of salvation whose basis is grace and means is faith. Definitely a divine appointment from God.
Christian or not
Most of us wouldn't think of shooting someone because we disagree with them, yet we all are sinners, as is explained in Romans 3:9-23. We all fail to follow God's commandments perfectly. If you don't think you are a sinner needing to repent, then you won't see your need for Jesus' death on the cross to pay for your sins. It makes sense, doesn't it?
So what makes you a Christian? Of course, it is necessary to have some knowledge of Who Jesus Christ is from the Bible, and what He did for you, but knowledge about the facts isn"t enough. You need to believe those facts about Jesus and trust only Him to save you from your sins, not in anything you have done such as being good or getting baptized. (Acts 4:12).
I became a Christian at seventeen, when a friend invited me to a youth Bible study at her church. I didn't want to go, so I made every excuse I could come up with. But God very much wanted me there, so He took away every excuse. Finally, I ran out of excuses and went and loved it.
At the Bible study the teacher talked about Jesus Christ dying on the cross for our sins so that God could forgive us. That statement got my attention immediately, because I knew I did wrong things that were against what God wanted. The teacher said, "If we believe we are sinners, then we should believe we need a Savior. He then told us about Jesus Christ and His death on the cross for our sins." He went on to say, "If any of you truly believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins, you will be forgiven of your sins and they will never be held against you, because Jesus paid the penalty for those sins." I thought, "Who wouldn't want that forgiveness?" I also was taken back by the knowledge that God would die for my sins when He had done nothing wrong. I knew I had finally found unconditional love. That day I knew I needed a Savior, which led me to believe in Jesus Christ. I am over 70 years old and have never regretted believing in Jesus Christ. You too?
Life Application
God's saving love
God's love wasn't prompted by human works or even human love, but by His absolute love for us. His love chose life for us when we were in a state of death. His love paid the full penalty for all sin, allowing us to choose eternal life. I do understand how hard it is to grasp God's sacrificial love. Who would ever think that the Creator would become a human, to take His own wrath and punishment upon Himself for people who were His enemies. Definitely love beyond human reason. A friend of mine's husband laid down for an afternoon nap and woke up in Jesus' presence because he knew God loved him and believed in our loving God. Read John 3:16-18; Acts 4:8-12; Romans 5:8-10. Share some insights.
God knows what's in your heart (mind). He knows if you have believed in Jesus or not. I know many of you have already believed in Jesus. However, if you haven't, you can tell God right now that you believe in Jesus and in what He did for you. Romans 10:10 shares, "For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."
As John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." When we believe in Jesus Christ, we trust Him to forgive our sins, giving us the hope of eternal life. Have you believed in Jesus?
Reflect on Romans 5:8.