BELIEVE IN GOD

Know the Truth

I'm currently teaching a "Foundations" class at my local church. We have begun digging into what it really means to "believe" in God. We are looking at the usage of the Hebrew words for "believe" that appear in the text. We are not by any means done exploring the Hebrew and the Greek implications of what it means to "believe". In fact, we're actually beginning to question our own understanding of and commitment to our loyalty to God. And, not just for ourselves, either! We hope to learn how to help others define and refine their own belief in God. We'll do this by continuing to focus on one simple word: believe.

During some personal reading and studying, I came across this scripture in Isaiah...

This one will say, ‘I am the LORD’s,’ another will call on the name of Jacob. Another will write on his hand, ‘The LORD’s,’ and name himself by the name of Israel.” Isaiah 44:5

It didn't take long to find myself on a rabbit trail chasing down a familiar thought. What I found was totally in line with what I had shared with my class yesterday.

“True faith cannot stand without breaking forth immediately into confession; for such is the import of these four words:
• Be called by the name of Israel,
• To write,
• To be known,
• To say "I am the Lord’s"
They who sincerely worship God ought not to be dumb [silent], but to testify both by actions and by words what they carry inwardly in their hearts. They profess to be the servants of God, and glory in his name during the whole course of his life.”

(1)Commentary on the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, vol. 3 [Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010], 364.

BELIEVE IN GOD

True faith or genuine belief in God is more than acknowledging a "higher power" or some supernatural force in control . Belief can be proven by what we say, or write, or how we are perceived by others. Genuine belief can also demonstrated by a firm unwavering testimony that we are the Lord's.

This is proving to be a most interesting study. This is especially true in light of the fact that a large percentage of Americans say they believe in God. What we're also learning is that a simple statement acknowledging a belief in God cannot stand alone. It MUST be accompanied by other evidences in order to be a genuine confession of faith or belief.

So, what do you say? Do you "believe in God" according to the standards set forth in Scripture? Or, do you simply fall in line with popular responses without giving what it means to believe much thought? My impression is that a large percentage of those who say they "believe in God" fall into the latter category. And, that's why those of us who KNOW in whom we have believed, [are] convinced that "he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to [us]..." (2 Tim 1:12).

Continued study of God's Word will always lead us to priceless nuggets of Truth. May we NEVER stop digging!