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I remember it like it was yesterday. My freshman year in high school, I was playing Varsity. We were playing a team that was known for turning their opponents into laughing stocks around the town, but we knew that things would be different for us! I remember going into the game thinking, "Who cares? We believe today will be a different story."
However, at the end of the 4th quarter, I looked at the scoreboard and we were losing 17-92. It turns out, no matter how much we said we believed, the proof is that we didn’t perform like it. I knew from that moment forward, I would be leaving that team to join some guys that actually did believe in their team and showed it in their record the next year by going to the State Championship.
The interesting thing about coming to Christ is that we all say that we believe. In the Bible, we see the message of Jesus drawing crowds of thousands of people because they believe. However, in that same passage we see those same thousands turn and walk away from Jesus.
Religion has taught us that as long as we believe in Christ, we are saved and going to Heaven. But if this is true, then why isn’t satan there now? We know that he believes who Jesus is.
"19 You believe that God is one; you do well. So do the demons believe and shudder [in terror and horror such as make a man’s hair stand on end and contract the surface of his skin]! 20 Are you willing to be shown [proof], you foolish (unproductive, spiritually deficient) fellow, that faith apart from [good] works is inactive and ineffective and worthless?" - James 2:19-20 AMPC
Possibly, the meaning of the word "believe" for us today has been lost in translation from its original. It is one thing to believe, but it is another thing to become a follower of those beliefs. We see many people believed in Jesus and listened to Him speak, but we also see others who listened and actually made the decision to follow Him.
63 It is the Spirit Who gives life [He is the Life-giver]; the flesh conveys no benefit whatever [there is no profit in it]. The words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are spirit and life. 64 But [still] some of you fail to believe and trust and have faith. For Jesus knew from the first who did not believe and had no faith and who would betray Him and be false to Him. 65 And He said, This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted him [unless he is enabled to do so] by the Father.66 After this, many of His disciples drew back (returned to their old associations) and no longer accompanied Him. - John 6:63-66 AMPC
The call of Jesus wasn’t to make people believe, but rather make followers out of people who believed. There is a difference between believing in Jesus and being a follower of the way He lived.
Why do we as Christians think that just believing in Jesus is enough? How are we so different just because we believe in Jesus? One could make the argument that almost everyone simply believes, even the devil himself. What would make us different from satan is our decision to follow Jesus and His way of life.
"44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." - John 8:44 AMPC
The sad reality is that most of us are being led by people who believe in Jesus but never really took many steps to follow Him. Christianity has turned more into a Biblical history class that lacks most, if not all, on-the-job training experience.
Many of us say that Jesus is the Way, but we never actually bothered to take a look at His ways.
"13 Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it.14 But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it." - Matthew 7:13-14 AMPC
Jesus is the Life, but you will never experience true life without completely laying down your own.
"38 And you have not His word (His thought) living in your hearts, because you do not believe and adhere to and trust in and rely on Him Whom He has sent. [That is why you do not keep His message living in you, because you do not believe in the Messenger Whom He has sent.] 39 You search and investigate and pore over the Scriptures diligently, because you suppose and trust that you have eternal life through them. And these [very Scriptures] testify about Me! 40 And still you are not willing [but refuse] to come to Me, so that you might have life." - John 5:38-40 AMPC
When we repent and turn to God, we aren’t just saying, "Jesus, I believe." We are actually saying, "Jesus, I will follow Your ways." Without this intention, your baptism is really just a glorified bath with no soap or Holy Spirit.
"6 And they were baptized in the Jordan by him, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee and escape from the wrath and indignation [of God against disobedience] that is coming? 8 Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart];" - Matthew 3:6-8 AMPC
We see the people of today who claim that they believe, and we see the people in the Bible who actually followed. Which one is on their way to Heaven?
"16 So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth!17 For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grown wealthy, and I am in need of nothing; and you do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.18 Therefore I counsel you to purchase from Me gold refined and tested by fire, that you may be [truly] wealthy, and white clothes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nudity from being seen, and salve to put on your eyes, that you may see.19 Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict andconvince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude].20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me.21 He who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant him to sit beside Me on My throne, as I Myself overcame (was victorious) and sat down beside My Father on His throne.22 He who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the [Holy] Spirit says to the assemblies (churches)." - Revelation 3:16-22 AMPC
Question of the Day: The people in Heaven believe. The people going to Hell will also then believe. What is the difference between the two?