What does it mean to truly believe in God?

I’ve spoken to many people, one-on-one, and it is interesting to hear them say that if only they could see Jesus, they would believe. If only they could see His signs (miracles) and listen to His teaching, then they would believe.

Do you believe?

Does it take sight and hearing to believe?

Beyond the twelve apostles, Jesus had a substantial following, and crowds gathered to hear His teaching. In Luke 10, we discover that Jesus sent out 70 or 72 additional disciples to preach. Other followers included women such as Mary Magdalene and Martha.

Only 120 people came together at Pentecost.

Belief among them was just as important as it is today. Yet, there were some who did not believe.

The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe…John 6:63b-64a NKJV.

What is belief?

Based on our formative years and defining moments, we each carry our own understanding of the word “belief.” But what does it really mean?

To many, belief means accepting Christ because of what He does and the validity of His claims.

To Christ, believing means something more: commitment and loyalty beyond the physical. It’s trusting Him wholeheartedly.

The indwelling Holy Spirit takes the yielded heart and reveals the truth. The illuminated Word is God-breathed, leading us into Spirit and Truth. The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

Now we believe.

Yet there are those who claim to believe but do not. The Lord knows.

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and would betray Him. John 6:63-64 NKJ.

True Disciples Believe

From the dawn of the Resurrection, a multitude of Christians have followed Christ and professed to believe. Pastors baptized themselves in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

But were they true disciples or long-distance?

How many turned back and no longer walked with Him? How many people settle for a shallow relationship and a shaky faith?

It’s all a matter of belief.

If they had honestly heard and learned from the Father, then they would not have stepped into the slippery slope leading away from Christ. If the Father had granted them access to the Son – to His Word – then falling away would never have been an option.

Anyone can call themselves a Christian, but calling yourself a disciple is another matter. It requires wholehearted commitment. The long-distance Christian goes to church, fellowships with others, and may even serve there. Yet their hearts are far from Him.

The Lord knows.

The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. Ps 14:2 ESV.

True Belief

Honestly, apart from Christ Jesus, we know nothing. We know nothing of our life, our death, or ourselves. He surely has the words of life.

Even here in chapter 6 of John’s Gospel, we can see such unbelief. They didn’t trust Him or His words, so they completely withdrew from Him and didn’t walk with Him anymore. No more room for pretence.

They had seen and heard Jesus. Yet they lacked the spiritual perception to grasp who He was. He didn’t meet their expectations. Jesus had no problem identifying the superficial.

Unbelief is natural to those selfish or alienated from God. You can’t fake it until you make it.

In the end, did Jesus see these disciples whom He knew by name betray Him? How many of them shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”?

Granted Access Makes a Difference

The truth: The Father grants access to the yielded soul, and so, in turn, the soul receives faith as a gift.

The Holy Spirit must have His way to awaken and empower every Christian to become a true disciple, as Father God grants.

And He said, “Therefore I have said to you, that no one can come to me unless it has been granted to him by my Father. John 6:65 NKJV.

Believe!

… “Does this offend you? What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe…” John 6:61b-64a NKJV.

The Holy Spirit is active today as He was yesterday. He works through the Word – Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh and dwelling among us: Immanuel.

Listen carefully to what He is saying to the church. If you understand the Word, then accept it. If you do not understand, then trust that you’re not ready to understand yet, for your own good. In due time, you too will understand.

Our acceptance or rejection of the Word does not change the fact that Jesus is the Son of God sent from heaven.

Today, we have no excuse. Church is not a club that fills our social needs. We betray Christ when we treat the church like a social gathering. If Christ is the head of the Church, then we must be Christ-centered and accept His word.

The spirit, the soul, and, yes, the body must be “all in.”

Not to believe is to betray the Son.

What about the Twelve?

Jesus did not forget the Twelve. He turned to them and asked them a pointed question.

Do you also want to go away? John 6:67b NKJV

Simon Peter doesn’t have to think twice. He speaks for the Twelve, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also, we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” (John 6:68-69).

But not all believed.

Judas did not believe, and his unbelief led to betrayal, even to thirty pieces of silver.

Jesus answered them, “Did I myself not choose you, the Twelve, and yet one of you is the devil.” John 6:70 CSB.

What now? Intimacy!

Belief, true belief, leads to intimacy with our Lord and Savior. There is no greater gift on Earth. The Spirit leads us into the most holy Presence. In Christ Jesus, we remain there to love and fellowship with Him.

In intimacy, our faith grows. Intimacy requires a day-to-day walk with God. This is what it means to be “born again”, a new creature, and an honest disciple.

This is what it means to believe.

Do you believe?