“After
he [the jailer] brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They
said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your
household.” (Acts 16:30-31)
“It is impossible to ask a weightier question! It is
deplorable that we hear neither it asked with no more frequency, with no more agony.
The spirit of slumber which the poison of the old serpent has brought upon the
children of men is to be deplored exceedingly. Awaken us out of this stupidity,
O God of all Grace, lest we perish.” – Spurgeon.
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ! “This Great Jesus;
Son of God: God the Son. The Son of Man: God a man” – S.D. Gordon in Quiet Talks On Prayer. This is such a
glorious mystery that I dare not try to describe such a thing. The Bible is clear
though; through God becoming man and through the works of God as man (His life,
death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven) God gave a New Covenant were
salvation is through believing in Jesus the Lamb of God. Jesus became the
sacrificial lamb once and for all. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth,
and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Today, the question has become what does it mean to
believe? Scriptures warns of not knowing God or more of God not knowing us. “My
sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). The demons knew
of God as James writes, “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons
also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish
fellow, that faith without works is useless?” (James 2:19-20). The demons were
once angels and beheld God in His glory; so believing is more than mere knowledge
of God. Believing is more than repentance, denying self, works, and it is more than ourselves. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things unseen. For by it, men of old gained approval" (Hebrews 11:1-2). James argues that if you have faith you have good works. Jesus also
warns of such a thing.
Jesus asks us to check our hearts; do I know you?
Are you doing my will, do you know my will? (Mathew 7:21-24). Are you preparing
for my return, being good stewards of my resources, and giving to the least
among you? If not maybe I don’t know you (Matthew 25). Faith produces good
works as we are created for His workmanship (Ephesians 2:8-10). Jesus instills faith
in us as He is the author and finisher of our faith; we however must get up and
walk (John 5:8), we must follow Him.