Glass Street church of Christ

site last modified
February 26, 2008

IN WHAT CAN WE BELIEVE?

by Randy Meyer

In our society, we have become a people that seems to have nothing in which we can put our trust and belief. We have little, if any, belief in the words of a politician. An oath is often only something we say, not what we will uphold. With the high divorce rate, can we believe in the marital vows of “till death do you part”? We also must have little confidence in the words and agreements between parties in our business relationships. While working at a law firm, I have seen contracts in excess of 100 pages. Everything must be documented as the parties need to know how to proceed “when” the other person breaks their word “and they will break their word.” Is there nothing in which we can truly believe?

The answer to this question is YES. The bible has revealed unto us “…all things which pertain unto life and godliness” (II Peter 1:3). We are also told that only through the Word of God we will be “… equipped unto every good work.” (II Timothy 3:17). Therefore, if we know the Word has given us all things we need to be godly, in what must we believe to become a follower of Christ?

In Acts 8:37, we find Phillip ask the eunuch if he believed. The eunuch’s response is the same response we must have today in that he said “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” The belief in the Lord Jesus Christ was also expressed by those desiring to become followers of Christ in Acts 13:37-39 and Acts 16:31-32. By these examples we can see the importance of belief in becoming a Christian. Christ also stated how essential belief is determining our salvation. In Mark 16:16, He stated “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” There is NO hope for a person who refuses to obey God’s commands. Eternal damnation awaits such a one.

But is this belief a simple “Yea, yea, I believe….Whatever.” I think not. We are instructed to believe with the heart. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). It is by taking a true belief of Christ and His word into our heart which will produce the desire necessary to be faithful to His commands as we diligently seek Him.

Like 12:34 states that “where our treasure is there will our heart be also.” The converse of this is also true, where our heart is there will be our treasure. Are you building your treasure by following after Christ? Do you believe that Christ is the son of God? Are you obeying the commands and examples given in the scriptures? If you would like any assistance in building a belief through a study of His word, we would warmly welcome you to attend one of our assemblies or contact us for further information.