Receive and Believe

www.bible.com/1713/jhn.1.12.csb

It may seem to you that God sets the bar kind of low when it comes to salvation in Jesus. Perhaps it is because we have watered down the language so much from its biblical use that we don’t even know what the Bible is asking us anymore. (I might note this is another subtle Satan hack.) This recent holiday season being an example, what does it mean to believe in Santa Claus?

I suspect that if you believe in Santa Claus, it’s not a belief you think about throughout the year. The practice of this faith means what: setting out milk and cookies on Christmas Eve, writing a letter to Santa, and visiting Him in the mall, once. If you are a fanatic, you might remind yourself that you need to be “good” relatively speaking to stay off the naughty list. Sure you decorate like all the doubters out there, but how much of you life is consumed with this belief? Do you have enough have to resist buying presents for yourself or others, trusting that Santa will come through this year?

Such is modern belief.

Belief in Jesus Christ calls for a bit more. Affirming that Jesus lived, probably died on a cross, and some say he rose from the dead won’t change your life. Believing that Jesus died for your sin and loved today, that’s something else. I don’t pray to Santa to change my circumstances. I pray to Jesus. I don’t pray that Santa would fix my marriage. I ask Jesus. I know Jesus is alive and well. I know Jesus rose from the dead. I know Jesus cares for me even now. Why? Because He told me in His book. Even as o write this, Jesus is present with me. I don’t have to hope it’s true. I know it’s true.

That’s the difference between belief and faith in our culture. Faith motivates. Faith influences action. Belief is often just something I think I know. Faith is knowing something for certain without having seen the proof.

This is what makes children of God. These are the children who have the faith that God is their father, that they are His children, and act accordingly. They have received the truth of Jesus Christ in their hearts and serve Him faithfully. This is true and authentic faith for the believer.

May God bless you in your walk with Jesus today.