The belief that makes you a Christian
Day 29
by Gini Crawford, MSW
Faith, believe and trust
We are going to take the time in the next few days to specifically define the meaning of faith, believe and trust; all are principal terms in the Bible. Simply put, faith is complete trust or confidence in someone or something; and to believe is to accept that something is true or real so you trust in it. Sometimes faith and believe are used interchangeable in the Bible. Belief is a noun and believe is a verb. When we believe in Jesus Christ, we trust Him to forgive our sins, giving us the hope of eternal life. (Acts 10:43).
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." Biblical faith is being assured and convinced of the eventual fulfillment of God's 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, the attributes of 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. Faith involves trust in and commitment to what we believe – ultimately changing our lives. (Acts 17:23-28; Romans 1:20, 10:17; 1 Corinthains 2:9-10; Hebrews 11).
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.
Quickly explain Biblical faith.
A simple act of faith
Looking at Ephesians 2:1-9, helps us understand that salvation needed to be a gift from God offered through His love, mercy, and grace, and received by faith. Remember, just one sin changed the entire human race making us destined for death and punishment, rendering us incapable of living according to God's holy standards. It is clear that, given our inability to meet God's standards, salvation had be a gift. God's love desired not to punish us but instead led Jesus to bear the full penalty for our sins, allowing us to attain forgiveness and eternal life 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. Definitely a divine appointment from God.
...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. Ephesians 2:4-9 ESV®
Christian or not
If we are honest with ourselves we are sinners (Romans 1:18-32, 3:9-20). Granted there are differences in frequency, extent and degree of sin. Most of us wouldn't think of shooting someone because we hate them. Yet, 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.
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 that loving God. Read Romans 3:21-24; 5:8-10. Share some insights.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. John 3:16-18 ESV®
God knows what's in your heart and 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.
Belief in Jesus starts in your heart and mind, resulting in a God-centered life with outward godly actions. Prayer being one of the most important actions. As a Christian, you can now pray with a sense of closeness and personal connection, as if God were right beside you. The barrier that sin created between you and God has been removed through Jesus' forgiveness of your sins. Now would be a good time to thank Jesus for loving you enough to pay for your sins. (Romans 10:10).
Reflect on Romans 5:8.