I was just thinking about this, and wanted to write it down, otherwise it would probably just pass on by like some other thoughts.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."
What is the difference between believing in him and believing him?
Recently, I read through James, and a lot of it talks about faith vs. works, etc. I came to the conclusion that faith in God, real faith, is having faith enough that I believe what he says enough that I do it, and that is why works shows faith, and faith without works is dead. Is that right?
My question is this: is it the same thing to believe in someone and to believe someone? When we say we believe in Jesus and are saved, is that equivalent to believing what he says? Recently, because of my reading from James, I've felt that if I sin, its showing that I don't really have faith in God. Because if I did, I would do what he says, which is not to sin. Is that the belief in Jesus that causes me to be covered by his blood, which saves me? Is that what James says? Or is it just belief in his death and resurrection washing away my sin? Are the two inextricably linked faiths, actually the same thing, or two different types of faith "in" him?
Who are you?
- Randall
- La Mirada, California, United States
- You probably don't read this unless you know me, and if you do, I probably won't explain me as well as you think.
What do you read?
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The birds13 years ago
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The Time is Now13 years ago
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2 comments:
You are on an excellent track here, Randall. Too often we stop with believing for salvation and never get to the point where we believe unto obedience. If you really believe in Him, you will do what He says, because He always says to do what is the RIGHT thing, and the best thing in the long run.
The word "in" in John 3:16 is literally "into". So we are believing INTO Christ, which is stronger, I think, than what we usually think about.
Keep up the good work!
I agree with your mother.
Example: Kids at PACE maybe believed us when we told them it was good for them to read and work instead of bicker and gossip. They (mostly) knew it was beneficial for them on some level, but almost none of them really believed in your words enough to abide by them more than a fraction of the time.
Wait, is that a blasphemous analogy? I hope not.
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