Do You Now Believe? This is another in the series of questions that Jesus asked. The context is that Jesus has just shared the Passover feast, what we now refer to as the Last Supper, with his disciples. He is nearing the time of his crucifixion, and he is intensely pouring into his disciples telling them everything they need to know to understand what is going to happen to him and what they can expect.

²⁹ Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. ³⁰ Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.” ³¹“Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. ³² “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. ³³ I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:29-33)

I am currently participating in the Beth Moore Bible Study “Believing God.” This is my second time through, and it’s having just as powerful an effect on me as the first time. It’s one thing to believe in something, but it is altogether another to believe something. I believe in eating healthy, but I don’t always do it. I believe in the benefits of physical activity, but I don’t always follow through. I believe in being generous, kind, patient (you get the idea), but, well, you know. In fact, my pastor said in his sermon last Sunday, “Just because we believe in soap doesn’t mean we won’t die dirty.” We just don’t always act on our beliefs. Our calling as believers is to do more than believe in Jesus. Our calling is to demonstrate our belief by following through on those beliefs.

What does it mean to believe Jesus?

• For a start, it means following through on those daily commitments like prayer and studying my Bible when I’d rather be sleeping.
• It means being open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and acting on His direction—maybe to check on a neighbor when I would rather be watching TV.
• It means tithing when I’d rather use that money to buy some new clothes for me or my family.
• It may mean going on that mission trip when I’d rather be using that time for a vacation.
• It may mean taking a leap of faith to work for a faith-focused ministry rather than a higher paying job in the for-profit world.
• It does mean being grateful even when our health is failing or the bills keep piling up.
• It means being kind to someone who is treating us rudely or unfairly.
• It means forgiving those who have harmed us in any way, when I’d much rather nurse that grudge.

I don’t know exactly what it means for you, but I know that the Holy Spirit will guide us if we ask; and I know that if we follow through on the little things, the Holy Spirit will continue to make His will known. And I know that if we continue to ignore Him, our hearts will finally become unable to hear Him, and what a sad day that would be.

God promises us…., but we must believe; we must act on our belief.

Jesus asked “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8).  Brothers and Sisters, I am praying that He will find us faithful right here at Nashville Rescue Mission, as well as in your families, your neighborhoods, your churches, and your schools.

In Christ,

Judy