Believing What You Believe

As Christians we make some bold claims about what we believe. We say that we believe that God created the world in six literal days and rested on the seventh. We say that we believe Jesus was born of a virgin, was crucified on a cross, buried in a grave and rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven. We say that Jesus is the only way to heaven. And we say that salvation is a free gift from God that we can never earn.

We say a lot of things. I wonder how many things we really really believe. I am not really talking about things like salvation. But how much do we believe in and trust God’s love and provision towards us. As you continue to read the remainder of chapter four, you see a story unfold that describes a man that in the face of undeniable obstacles, had an unwavering trust in God. All of Abraham’s experience would have gone against what God was telling him. Yet he chose to believe God. And this belief drove Abraham to action.

Notice what the writer of Hebrews says.

ESV Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

The faith that the writer is talking about is not simply that God exists, but that the God of the Bible exists. The miracle working, all powerful, all merciful, all loving God that blesses us, not because we deserve it, but because He desires to glorify himself. Furthermore, notice that the writer continues to declare that that kind of faith believes that this God rewards that earnestly seek after Him. Abraham would not be detoured, because he believed in a God that had only good intentions towards him, that would ultimately reward him, no matter what the present circumstances looked like.

This is called believing what you believe. Do you truly believe that you are the object of an infinite love? Do you believe that an infinite God is truly molding you into His image? Do you believe that if you continue to submit to His leading hand and look to Him for all that you are that you will ultimately receive His reward?

Do you? I mean, really, do you?

Ed<><