Belief, how hard is it?

For some belief is a very hard thing. Of course, I am talking about a specific belief—the belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the King of Israel. These are two Messianic terms from the Old Testament used by Nathanael in John 1:49. Nathanael was an early disciple of Jesus and it seems that for Nathanael belief was not a hard thing. It only took one statement from Jesus for Nathanael to believe that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah—the Anointed One of God. Yet, because of his belief Jesus assured Nathanael that he would see even greater proofs of Jesus’ uniqueness. I would encourage you to read the entire record of this first encounter of Nathanael with Jesus. It is found in John 1:45-51.

Here are a few thoughts I trust will be profitable to the reader.

(1) True faith is a gift of God given by divine revelation. Something in Nathanael’s experience under the fig tree and the revelation that Jesus had intimate knowledge of that experience (something no ordinary human could know), gave Nathanael all the divine authentication he needed. It seemed so simple that Jesus even pointed it out in the conversation, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe?” (John 1:50). Now don’t be confused. Jesus was not surprised by Nathanael’s belief. He just wanted us to be surprised about it.

(2) Some will never believe regardless of the amount or the spectacular nature of the evidence. In Luke 16, we find the account of the rich man and Lazarus. After they both died we are told of their experiences—Lazarus in paradise (Abraham’s bosom), and the rich man in Hades (hell). One was comforted and one was tormented. We are made aware of a request by the rich man to Abraham. He asked him to send Lazarus back to earth so he could warn the rich man’s five brothers in hopes they would believe and not have to come to the place of torment he found himself in. At this point Abraham gives us God’s answer to all who are looking for spectacular signs to authenticate belief. Listen to his words. “Luke 16:29-31 ESV ²⁹But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ ³⁰And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ ³¹He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ” Wow! Did you hear that? There are some people that will not believe even if someone was raised from the dead!

(3) God’s divine revelation to mankind is His Word—the Bible. If a person is unwilling to believe the Bible then there is nothing that person could see or hear or experience that would make that person believe. The greatest witness to the truth and the only witness a true believer needs is the Word of God. Yet, don’t forget point 1. You will only believe when God gives you the gift of faith.

I want to close with one last thought. In Mark 9, Jesus is introduced to a father with a demon possessed son. The father desperately wants his son delivered from this demonic spirit. When Jesus told the father “All things are possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:24 ESV), the father quickly responded with these words, “I believe, help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:25 ESV). The father admitted he did not have the faith necessary, but cried out to Jesus to give him the faith required.

Friend, do you have trouble believing God? Have you admitted your need for salvation and placed your faith in Jesus alone to deliver you from your deserved judgment because of your sin? God has given you all the evidence you need—the Gospel of Jesus Christ in His Word—the Bible. If you are having difficulty believing let me encourage you to follow the example of the father in Mark 9. Cry out to Jesus, admit that you are a sinner, admit that you don’t have the faith God demands, and ask Jesus to give you the faith necessary to believe—then believe!

You can be assured of this; all who come to Jesus Christ by faith will be saved!

_____________________________

© Paul G. Mathenia and Deep Water Disciples, 2009. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Paul G. Mathenia and Deep Water Disciples with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Stay “Green!”

If there is one word that seems to conger up differing emotions today it is the word “green.” Everybody seems to be making an attempt at being green. I am sure by now that most of you who know me are gasping for breath and crying out, “Not Pastor Paul!” But you can relax, I have not jumped on the environmentalists’ green train which I feel is running down the wrong track. I do know, however, that being green in the right sense is a very good thing.

I came across this verse I know well in Luke 23:31 ESV, “For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” Jesus said this to some women shortly after he stumbled under the weight of the cross as he was making the walk to Calvary. Truly I have no problem with those who are concerned about the “greenness” of God’s world (within reason of course), but I am greatly saddened that most people have no concern about the “greenness” of their soul!

It is the people on planet earth I am concerned about! We are living in times of spiritual dryness. Even those who claim to be followers of Christ fail to have their souls refreshed on a regular basis “by the washing of water with the word” (Ephesians 5:26). I remember driving through southern Illinois and when I would drive by a ranger station for the Shawnee National Forest there would always be a sign out in front warning of the fire danger that day. If there had been no rain for several days or weeks the danger was HIGH! Just the smallest spark could destroy acre after acre of beautiful forest. Jesus is posting his sign in this verse–SPIRITUALLY DRY TODAY, DANGER VERY HIGH! Just one small lie from the enemy of our souls could catch on like wildfire and deceive an entire nation. Just one false concept planted in the right place in a church could burn the whole thing to the ground.

Unfortunately, many believers are so dry they don’t even notice the danger. I urge any who read this to understand that difficult times are coming for the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. If they persecuted the sinless Son of God in such a terrible way, what do you think they will do to his followers? Even, like Jesus, the spiritually green branches of the vine will suffer, but how much more devastating will it be to those who are dry?

Get into God’s Word! Read it and study it for yourself. Find a good church that still believes the Bible and preaches its glorious truth without fear. Pray without ceasing! Spend more and more time with Jesus! Stay close to the Vine! Stay green

______________________

© Paul G. Mathenia and Deep Water Disciples, 2009. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Paul G. Mathenia and Deep Water Disciples with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.