“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” - (1 Peter 1:8-9 ESV)
What does it mean to believe? Many people will tell me, “I believe in God!” What are they saying? It depends on their head and their heart.
I believe that it is good to brush my teeth. My mind considers that to be a true fact. Yet, if I do not brush my teeth regularly, in my heart do I really believe that it is a good thing? If I really believed it, then my life would be changed.
If you really believe on Jesus Christ as your savior and Lord, then your life will be changed! Anyone can believe that there is a God. Hell will sadly be full of people who believed in a higher power, a god, even in Jesus. Consider what James says here:
“You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?” (James 2:19-20 ESV)
We are not to give a mental assent to God; that He is up there somewhere, doing something. We are to know God and his salvation even now, even though we cannot see Christ or touch Christ. This is a great hope for Peter’s readers and for us today too!
This is because we believe not in a mental proposition, but in the real relationship that we have with God who is active by His Spirit in our lives. We taste a bit of heaven now in our souls. We are re-made as a new creation, our hearts are changed, our attitudes are changed. Sin starts to die in us and holiness begins to live in us.
Do we see in ourselves the desire to grow in grace? The Holy Spirit dealing with us is an inward evidence that we have not only a mental assent, but a true trust and relationship with Christ. This should bring us great joy! For we are God’s people forever and ever. He will bring us to his heaven where the work begun in our souls will be completed and even our bodies will be redeemed and made anew.
Application:
Simple - Does your belief in Christ change you and direct you in life?
Do you have a desire to worship God, study the Bible, be with his people or is church something you do if there is nothing better to do?
Do you have a better taste of heaven as you go through this life or is God very distant from you?
What do you mean when you say, “I believe in Christ”?
