Longer post today, but it’s on my heart…
Our pastor’s message on Easter was titled, “What Does it Take to Believe? Finding Real Faith in the Risen Jesus” – from John 20:1-9. He spoke about how it takes Hearing, Seeing and Action to believe. GREAT MESSAGE! Just thought I would share some of my take-aways/scribbles on my message notes page/random thoughts as I pondered the message and wrote this post:
Hearing: True belief in Jesus is not faith in faith…it is faith in the truth of God’s word! Knowing that our beliefs are based on actual events and people who God used (both perfect (Jesus) and imperfect (everyone else)) is key to real faith. Our Youth Pastor Pat calls it “Owning your faith.” I know some would say that the word “doctrine” is scary or too “heady” for “today’s believers”, but one must have some understanding of the truth of God’s word. It’s the blocking and tackling of being a Christ follower. Check this out.
Seeing: True belief in Jesus is more than basic, visual sight of God’s awesome power in His creation or of the changed lives and answered prayer of His followers. We must truly SEE or understand those things with God’s vision (through the lens of His Word) and illumination of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26 & 16:13.) It’s the difference between the Greek words used for “saw” in John 20:5 and 20:8 – in English, they appear the same, but they are not. In 20:5, John saw Jesus’ empty burial clothes only with his physical sight (Greek word: blepo). In 20:8, John truly understood and perceived what the scene meant: HE IS RISEN – just as He said (Greek word: horao). Basically, a biblical “ah, ha” moment – I can just see three years of dots connecting for John in an instant!
[Ok, I’m no Greek geek, but I was challenged/intrigued enough to spend some time on the differing “saws” in John 20…it was fun! Check this out (clicking on the different words will let you see the various and different uses). There are contrasting “saws” with Mary, Peter, and the Disciples in the same chapter.]
Action: Hearing and Seeing are only part of the equation for real faith in Jesus – without action, it’s just head knowledge or a warm and fuzzy feeling. Sadly, many miss (or even avoid) this step – its the “rubber meets the road” or surrendered heart & life part. The basic action in finding real faith is through submitting ourselves – our lives to Christ. That is the base action for belief – we must confess our sin and receive God’s forgiveness (actions). Without that part of the equation…well, it’s not Real Faith in Jesus (just as belief is not real faith if you have action but hearing and/or seeing are missing.) It the complimentary passages of Ephesians 2:8-10 and James 2:14-26!
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If you are reading this and are not a follower of Christ, God loves you and has a incredible plan for your life. Take a few minutes and look at this video and know that the Creator of the universe loves YOU! Seek out someone you know is a Christ follower and ask them questions. I pray that you hear, see, and take action – your life will never be the same!
If you are reading this and are a follower of Christ – one more action…OK, two:
First, I encourage you to do a heart check. Read the notes above and make sure you’ve heard, seen, and acted. Our pastor has mentioned a story of how a mainstream pastor was speaking at a seminary chapel meeting and gave an alter call. Seems odd, but he said he didn’t want to assume that someone was committed to Christ just by their presence at seminary…hands went up and people were saved. Prayerfully do a heart check…
Second, I have been a Christian most of my life; but a few years ago, I found myself at times “auto-piloting” my way through my Christian walk (scary). I can say without a doubt that I was firm in my faith (had heard, seen, and acted) – but, was just at times…well, on auto-pilot – just cruising. As I was challenged – I challenge you: Live a changed and sold out life! Live a Rom 12:1 / 2 Tim 2:15 / Col 3:17-kinda life! I’m still learning…but, let’s stumble forward together!
Since music is HUGE in my life – I share the Phil Joel song below in the spirit of Hebrews 10:24-25 (“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together [even if virtually at times], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”)
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Changed
Lyrics – Phil Joel, Dale Evrist
I wrote a letter today
And what I wrote was my own obituary
‘Cause from the graveyard of self you have resurrected me
Jesus, You have changed the way I do everything
You have changed the way I see everything
With You I begin every day the same
And I’m gonna drink deep that is why I came
The truth is a river flowing renewal for your mind
Let it set your heart free the way that it did mine
I sing Jesus, You have changed the way I do everything
You have changed the way I see everything
Looked in the mirror today
And what I saw was not the same as yesterday
Cause more and more you’re transforming and rearranging me
I sing Jesus
You have changed the way I do everything
You have changed the way I see everything
You have changed the way I wear my wedding ring
You have changed the way I treat my family
You have changed the way I see all my friends
You have changed the way that I spend my time
You have changed the way that I use my mind
You have changed the things that I spend my money on
You have changed everything I ever thought was mine
You have changed my emotions
You have steadied me
You have changed my eyes and what I let them see
You have changed the course of my history
Thank God You’re still changing me!
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