DADS RAMBLINGS -- BELIEVING GOD

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – BELIEVING GOD

"For what does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.' " (Romans 4:3, quoting Genesis 15:6)

Is there a difference between believing in God and believing God? I think there is. People can believe in God – that there is a God, and still not put their faith in Him. A Google search headlines a recent Gallup poll by stating that "the vast majority of U.S. adults believe in God." That is 81%. But for many, their actions show that thought they may believe that there is a God, but do not believe and live by what God says. Their lives are not impacted by what God has revealed in His Word. They do not base their lives on His promises.

Abraham certainly believed in God. God had revealed Himself to Abraham so that Abraham had no questions about the existence of God. But I think it went deeper that just believing in God. He didn't just believe that there is a God. Abraham believed what God said and acted on God's promises, and that was accounted to him for righteousness. He believed God.

It is true that whoever comes to God must believe that He is (Hebrews 11:6). Belief in God is pre-requisite to receiving His gift of salvation. That verse in Hebrews 11 goes on to say that we must believe that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.

The person who is truly born again not only believes that God is, but also believes and lives by God's word.

For example, God says that anyone who confesses that Jesus is Lord will be saved. God says that anyone who receives Jesus as savior will be a child of God. God says that the prayer of a righteous person avails much. God says that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins. To believe God is to accept that these things as true, and then apply them in my life.

It is not enough just to believe in God. We must also believe that His promises are true and act on them, just as Abraham did. That is what God accounts as righteousness – believing that what God says is true and then living out what God says in faith.

Love, Dad