Walking With Christ

Walking from belief to faith:

“I believe in God” and “I have faith in God” are not the same statements. Belief is the personal acceptance that something exists/or not or is true or false, especially without proof. People can believe in Elvis and Santa but only show proof of one. We have a weird tendency to hold tighter to those beliefs that lack any sort of proof. There is a lot of evidence that says that people will make up proof where none exists rather than to admit that they were wrong. However, belief can very easily change when convincing evidence is presented to the contrary of that belief.

Faith is a completely different mode of thinking. Faith often times requires belief without evidence. Faith can lead to seemingly irrational choices. It requires trust in and reliance on God’s promises. Faith includes a commitment to those promises.

James 2:19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!(ESV)

Simply believing in God isn’t enough for salvation. Demons believe. They do not put their trust in Him because their belief does not lead to obedience to His will. Obedience to His will is required for there to be any kind of relationship with Him. It is only through that relationship that we find salvation. It is through our relationship with Jesus that we can come to the Father. This is the only way.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.(ESV)

Faith is not an intellectual exercise that simply requires acknowledgement. It requires a certain degree of confidence in the assurances of God. Faith remains as a mere believe until it has been tested by those times when His presence or actions are not readily apparent. Faith and fear both ask us to belief in something that hasn’t happened yet. Faith pushes us forward while fear holds us back.

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.(ESV)

First we believe. Then we have faith. Belief is the seed of faith. Salvation is the fruit of faith. Our salvation then becomes the seed of belief for those who follow us. The cycle begins anew. If the seed of belief never dies to sprout the roots of faith then there cannot be the fruit of salvation. If the belief gets drowned out by the cares of the world then there cannot be the fruit of salvation. If the soil is too stubborn to even allow the seed to grow roots then, again, there will be no fruit of salvation.

1 Peter 1:6-7 (6)In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, (7)so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.(ESV)

Faith, unlike belief, is most often tested and strengthened through the trials and challenges of life. The regular storms that come along trying to pull our faith out by the roots serve to make those roots grow deeper and stronger. Belief can only be the foundation. Faith builds on that foundation with trust through obedience and action.

James 2:22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works(ESV)

We are saved by grace through faith and unto good works. A saving faith prompts action. Action shows trust in that faith. Action is the sign of obedience. Esther showed faith when she spoke with the king. Abram showed faith when nearly sacrificed his promised son. David showed faith when he challenged Goliath. It is only on the other side of action that there is evidence of that faith. Until there is action then it’s possible that faith is merely belief. Without fruit there is not enough evidence of the root.

I would like to challenge everyone reading this to examine their own journey. This is a conversation between you and God. Can you honestly say that you believe? Have you moved beyond belief to faith? How do you know that you know?

No matter what your answer is, there are a lot of great ways to keep moving forward on this journey. There is no shame in whatever answer you find yourself with. It’s a journey and this life doesn’t hold the destination. If we keep moving then the journey isn’t over. Build on your belief. Act on that belief. Test that belief. Move on beyond belief into faith. Trust in God and get to know Him through prayer, fellowship, and service to others.

Faith must go beyond simple belief. Trust that hasn’t been tested is mere belief. Love that hasn’t been tested is just an emotion. Knowledge doesn’t become experience until it is tested. If you’re struggling then reach out. There are plenty of people who are more than willing to help. If you are not struggling, congratulations, reach out to those who are.

Father,
We praise Your holy name that we are able to move from mere belief to a saving faith in Your son, Jesus Christ. We are so thankful that You made a way. Your praises remind us of how good and holy You are and how limited that understanding truly is. Pour out Your spirit, Lord, on those reading this message. Lift them up to walk with You in a land, beyond belief, called faith. Give us wisdom and discernment to hear Your voice through the noise of the world. Let us see the light You shine upon our paths. Let us walk boldly in Your grace, mercy, and love. Let us humbly proclaim Your love to all those who see us. Let Your light radiate from each of us as we go out into our communities. Lift up the lowly in spirit. Heal the afflicted. Comfort those who mourn. Spread a hedge of protection around every family who receives Your message, Father. Speak love into their lives. Show them Your favor and give them Your peace.

In Jesus name we pray, amen.