BELONG: Life in the Family of God

Belief

It turns out that believing true things is less important than believing the person who is The Truth. It’s not through facts, but through a person, that we gain eternal life.

James 2:19 (NIV)

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

John 14:6

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

Mark 9:22–25

But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit.

Psalm 13:1

O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?
How long will you look the other way?

Exodus 4:13

But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”

Matthew 16:21–22

From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.

But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things.

Psalm 13:5–6

But I trust in your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
I will sing to the Lord
because he is good to me.

Deuteronomy 34:10–11

Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land.

Acts 3:41

Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.

Key points about belief:

The thing that is more important than belief is Who we believe. 

For Christians this means we believe in the person of Jesus. 

Believing true things is less important than believing in Jesus.