Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- December 16, 2013
Whoever believes in him [Jesus] is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:18
Belief in God is vastly different from my belief that God exists. For example, I may see a stranger walking down the street and believe they exist, but I certainly don’t believe in them, because I don’t know them. In the same way, I must move beyond my mental assent of the Almighty to a belief in Him as my Lord and Savior. I grow from a religious routine related to a distant Deity to a personal love relationship with Jesus Christ. Belief in God is trust in God.
Belief in God is much more than turning to the Lord only when we are in trouble. It is a moment by moment consciousness of Christ and a daily walk with Jesus in His way. This level of trust in the Trinity transforms our thinking and molds our behavior. The Holy Spirit becomes our trusted guide who reveals our next step in a sticky situation and who warns us regarding unwise decisions. Yes, belief in God gets us to God as our number one trusted advisor. Belief births salvation.
He [Jesus] is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2
Take to heart a heart felt faith experience by your personal belief in God. Jettison the idea that God is disconnected from daily life for it is the difference between heaven and hell and peace and insecurity. Glory to God! Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world, but to free it from the sentence of sin. The instant you trust Christ’s death for your sin’s absolution in place of your morality, you are free indeed. Belief in God equals eternal life with God.
Not being an atheist is not enough, even the devil acknowledges the existence of God. So, your belief in the Lord is focused, not vague. It is concrete, not abstract. Trust in Christ listens first to His voice and shuts out the competing noise of the culture. Before belief, God was your enemy and the devil your ally. After belief the Almighty is now your ally and the Adversary your enemy. Thus, in Christ, you are no longer condemned, but set free to worship, serve and love your Lord!
Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. James 4:4
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I believe You’ve existed for all eternity and I believe in Your son Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Lord.
Related Readings: Numbers 14:11; Luke 8:12; John 7:38-39; James 2:19; 1 John 3:5-10
Post/Tweet this today: Belief in God is vastly different from my belief that God exists. Belief in God is trust in God. #beliefinGod
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