Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – May 13, 2014
Even as he spoke, many believed in him. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.” John 8:30-31
To believe in Jesus is much more than just to believe Jesus. Genuine faith flows from a heart transformed by the truth of God, not just inspired by an emotional desire or intellectual interest. Those whose faith is only a flash of feelings will fall away, but those who embrace Jesus as Savior and Lord are never the same. Belief in Jesus conforms us into the likeness of Jesus. Our language is kind. Our face softens. Our eyes brighten. Our attitude is hopeful. Our is spirit joyful.
Beginning faith is like meeting an attractive person, admiring their life, maybe even dating for a while, but the relationship is far from a marriage commitment. On the other hand, authentic or saving faith is wed to Christ. It is a lifetime covenant of learning, growing and becoming one. We who believe in Jesus are the bride of Christ. It is unconditional belief and fidelity based on His divine nature. Faith in Him is foundational to our relationship of hope, love and forgiveness.
“But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).
In a manner similar to a man and woman who have been married for decades, so is our maturing faith in Jesus Christ. Their intimate knowledge of one another conditions them to anticipate the needs of the other. The familiarity of their individual thought processes creates space to patiently wait. The understanding of their unique communication styles causes them to frequently complete each other’s sentences. As they grow older they act and look more like one another.
Jesus is clear, “If we hold to His teachings we are really His disciples.” Our faith is not perfect, but it is learning and growing. Is your life hidden in Christ? Has He captured your affections and ignited your imagination for Him? Yes, move beyond believing Him to believing in Him! Make faith foundational by depending on Jesus for your every need. What’s more, healthy Christians reproduce spiritual children, so pray your life is a channel for the Holy Spirit to convict lost souls to be born again. Our genuine faith goes to God daily to listen, learn, and be loved by Him.
“Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 1:9).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, grow my faith to be genuine and acceptable in Your sight.
Related Readings: Psalm 17:15; Ezekiel 1:28; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Timothy 2:19; 1 Peter 2:6
Post/Tweet today: Our genuine faith goes to God daily to listen, learn, and be loved by Him. #wisdomhunters
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© 2014 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.
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I read your posts everyday and this one is Adonai’s perfect timing which He has spoken to me personally. Yesterday was a moment of not walking in the fruit of the spirit with my mother , and asking for forgiveness from my heavenly Abba and my earthly mother! Giving all Glory to Him!
Dear Tina~ Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out to us. We are so thankful that you heard our Heavenly Father’s words directed to you through the devotional. Isn’t it overwhelming sometimes, to realize how HE reaches out to us JUST when we need to hear Him the most (as you said “in HIS perfect timing!)
One of my favorite sentences in this devotionals is “Our genuine faith goes to God daily to listen, learn, and be loved by Him”. Praise God!
Thank you, Tina, we love hearing from our fellow wisdom hunters. We look forward to hearing from you again in the future.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
“I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.” Psalm 34:1