To really BELIEVE

^{1 John 5:1}

 

¹Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God.

 

First of all let me say Merry Christmas!  Hope everyone had an enjoyable one, I know we did.  Today I read the verse and thought WOW, this could be territory that may cause some folks to think.  As you know, and as some of you will learn as you read this blog, I like to make folks think about their salvation experience.

 

Now as you read the verse you could easily do like alot of people and say, "oh, I believe in in Jesus so I'm saved".  Look closer--it says " everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ(God's Son-Saviour) has become a child of God"  Now what that tells me that  I have to actually have the faith to believe that I am following the True Son of God.  Just saying a prayer and acknowledging that you believe there was a person who lived named Jesus will not save you.  As someone once told me, everyone in Hell right now understands who Jesus is and what He did for the world. 

 

If you go on reading 1 John 5 you will find that it says alot about true believers.  If you are standing in front of a tree that I know is about to fall, and I tell you "hey, the tree is about to fall on you", and you say  you believe me but don't move. Did you really believe the tree was about to fall, or just think it might?  I hope that didn't confuse anyone.  My point is If we really believe that Jesus died for our sins, rose again after 3 days, and is the Son of God,and follow His commandments, then we are saved.  If we said a prayer at some time in our life, but never felt conviction, never felt the need to follow His commandments, never try and tell anyone about Him, and really aren't different that the rest of the world; it may be that we in fact aren't saved.  I speak from experience here. 

 

I thought I was saved when I was in 2nd grade, then 3rd, then watching the 700 club, then at youth group when I was 15.  Point is I wasn't.  I only said prayers.  I didn't turn my life over to God and His will.  I wasn't actively reading the word, which is how a Christian is able to grow, and I hadn't really turned over my sins to Jesus.  Jesus was the one time sacrifice for us.  Everything you have done or will do has been taken care of. 

 

To sum up todays message----

 

I (steve) believe to truly believe in Jesus is to make Him the Lord of your life.  To ask guidance from God.  To read His word.  To tell others about Him and what He has done for you.  I don't believe to believe is just to say you agree that Jesus was a real person and ask him to come into your heart.

 

If you don't think you are saved, Please take care of it immediately.  Just believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and ask him to forgive you for your sins, read His commandments because they can show you alot about yourself, and make Him the Lord of your life.  BE DIFFERENT!  It's OK!  We should't blend in with the world, people should think we are a little strange or different!

 

Also, thanks to all who are reading this Blog.  Please send it to anyone you know.