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believe or BELIEVE

What does it mean to “believe in God?”  Does it matter? Does it make a difference, or is it just a non-confrontational way of saying “I believe there is a God out there but my idea is no better than your idea so let’s not fight about it?” Is that really believing?  What did Jesus mean when He said the word “believe?”  What did the Apostles and eyewitnesses mean who recorded his Words & peoples’ reactions, and gave us phrases and meanings that were meant to completely transform our lives?  In my opinion, there is a huge chasm of difference between what we mean when we say “believe” and what Jesus and the Apostles mean when they say “BELIEVE in scripture.”

I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and BELIEVES him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. (John 5:24)

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who BELIEVES in me will never be thirsty.  (John 6:35-36) 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever BELIEVES in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17) 

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and BELIEVE in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you BELIEVE and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who TRUSTS IN HIM will never be put to shame. (Romans 10:9-11) 

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God…This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. (1 John 5:1-4)

Perhaps, as a Jesus-follower, if I am experiencing inner-condemnation and shame, it’s because I’m not truly believing that I am forgiven and free from the power of sin.  Or if I’m losing the struggle against my own thirsts and desires, it’s because I’m not fully believing that the satisfaction and peace I seek can only come through Jesus. Or if I’m not overcoming the word – but being absolutely beat-down & buried by it – it’s because I’m disobeying God’s way…and thereby relying on my own strength rather than the mighty power of Jesus in me.
“Belief” in the Bible is translated from the same root as the word “faith” – “To put one’s trust in”, “to be committed to.”  Biblical BELIEF breaks the chains of injustice, makes sacrifices, loves the unlovely….leans heavily on Jesus in the ebb & flow of life, just as much as a surfer depends on his board to stay afloat and ride the wild surf!  This kind of BELIEF is totally focused on Jesus and His priorities for our lives, rather than how we can USE HIM to improve our comfort or status.  How is this kind of BELIEF different from the dismissive kind of “belief” we so often fall into when we proclaim Jesus with our lips but deny Him by our lifestyle?  
Let’s believe Him today.

By catalystshawn

Shawn is the founding Minister/Executive Director of Catalyst NW, launched in 2007. Before starting Catalyst, Shawn was a full-time Youth Pastor and Church Planter in traditional churches for 13-years. Shawn and his wife Marina live in Tualatin, OR, and are actively involved with Grace Chapel in Wilsonville. They have 2 adult kids who are their pride & joy, one funny little dog, and a cuddly cat.