Believe It Or Not

“I’ll only believe it if I see it with my own eyes.” This is what you might say about something someone tells you. “Believe nothing you hear, and only one half that you see.” Quoted from Edgar Allan Poe. Probably good advice today.

However, God has called on us to believe on Him based on His Word. Even though we cannot see God, with our natural eyes, we take Him at His Word. Why would I want to do that? In Hebrews 11:1-3 we find out what faith is, and in verse 6 we are told that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Those that come to God must do so in faith, believing. So, faith is the very basis of all of our relationship with God.

None of us has seen God at any time, and so we must believe, by faith in His Word, that He is God. God’s Word is His revelation of Himself to mankind. He also reveals Himself in His creation. We are not without evidence of God all around us. Man refuses to believe in God while choosing to believe in things that are significantly more difficult to believe. God has proven Himself to be who He says He is, and to be the same yesterday today and forever.

We must believe by faith, that He sent His only Son, to die in our place, and to forgive us our sins. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish , but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. God’s offer of free salvation is hard for many to believe. It might seem to good to be true, but it is the only way. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

We must lay hold by faith of the free salvation which God offers us. But that is not all. We must also continue by faith to walk with God daily in close fellowship. “For we walk by faith, not by sight:” 2 Cor. 5:7, “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back , my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” Heb. 10:38. We will not enjoy the fulness of what God has to offer, until we lay hold of it by faith.

You see, in the Bible God tells us about the things that He has done, and the things that He will do. We see what God is ABLE to DO, and that He always does what He says He will do. When we read about God’s faithfulness in the past, the Holy Spirit increases our faith in God for the future. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17. Our faith is increased from believing that God exists and that He offers free salvation, to a deeper faith for every step of our life.

So, when God makes promises to us about our future, we can take Him at His Word, and simply believe. God has made many great and precious promises to those that believe on Jesus Christ as their Saviour. “... Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: ...” 2 Peter 1:4. These promises present us with a great hope. “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;” Colosssians 1:5. God’s performance of His future and present promises to us are just as sure as His performance of the past promises. His past faithfulness guarantees His future performance. He has never failed and He will never fail.

We expect our Lord to return soon so that we may be with Him for eternity, and we can believe that by faith. This is the greatest of His promises. Some say that we have heard that forever, and still we wait. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.

God deals with us according to His Word. We cannot expect to know about God’s dealings without reading and studying His Word. His Word is necessary for us each day. “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,” Ephesians 5:26. As we begin to understand God’s way of dealing with us, our faith will increase, because we will see that He is doing just what He said.

So, spending time in the Word of God is important for increasing our faith. When we spend too much time in the things of the world, it can tend to diminish our faith. That is one reason that we gather together in a place called a church. So that we can learn more from God’s Word. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25. However, church should not be the only place we study God’s Word. We should also study every day. We can read and study anytime.

Also, we need to have fellowship with others of like faith. It is very important to be in church at every opportunity that we get. We encourage each other and our testimony of God’s faithfulness in our lives will help others to exercise their faith and trust in God.

Do you believe God? Do you believe every Word He has spoken? Do you believe His promises for you? Are you willing to trust Him for every aspect of your life?

Gordon Crook