MORE THAN BELIEVING
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder!
James 2:19 (ESV)
Something people often say is, I believe in God. I'm a Christian. The problem is, even demons believe in God. Belief in God is the starting point, but it's not the finish line. Think about it: in Mark chapter 5, there is a man filled with thousands of demons, and when Jesus approaches, the demons recognize Him and ask what He wants. Yet the Pharisees were filled with thousands of verses, and yet they didn't recognize Jesus enough to follow Him.
We can believe something without building our lives around it. For instance, I believe I should be eating healthier. I believe I should be eating less fried food, less sugar and fewer carbohydrates. In my mind, I am even committed to doing it, but my beliefs haven't changed my behavior. We can't just believe something; we must surrender to it. As Christians, we can't just believe in Jesus; we must follow Him. Think about it: when Jesus calls the disciples, He doesn't say, I want you to believe in Me, read My Word, and serve. Rather, He says, Follow Me.
The scary part is that one of the 12 disciples believed in Jesus and was even around Him. Judas saw Jesus take a little boy's sack lunch and feed 5,000 people. He saw Jesus walk on water and heal many people. Judas even saw Jesus raise a man from the grave. He believed certain things about Jesus, but his heart was never surrendered to Him. Again, belief is a starting point, but it's not the finish line.
God calls us not only to believe in Him, but to build our lives around Him. The only way you'll build your life around Him is if you see Him as Lord. Judas, the Pharisees and the demons weren't willing to build their lives around Him because they didn't see Him as Lord. They wanted to be the lords of their own lives. That's why Jesus' invitation is simple, but costly. It's the same invitation He gave the disciples: leave behind whatever competes for first place and follow Me. Build your life around Me.
APPLICATION: We can't just believe in Jesus; we must follow Him. Today, in every decision, build your life around Him.
PRAYER: God, stir my belief into surrender. Keep me from becoming familiar with Jesus yet forgetting to see Him truly. Spirit, awaken my heart to His Kingdom, open my eyes to His presence, and lead me to follow Him today. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?