by Emma Nudd
There is a difference between believing in God and believing God. Let’s read that again. There is a difference between believing in God and believing God. Now I think for the most part as Christian’s, the believing in God is the easy bit. We have taken the step of faith already; we have accepted the gift of salvation. Believing in God, let’s face it, that is not difficult. If we didn’t believe in God, that He exists, is around, is accessible then we probably wouldn’t be that committed to going to church or reading this blog. For most of us, this is the easy bit. In the bible we read that even the demons believe in God (James 2:19). So, for many of us believing in Him and that he exists, this is not the challenge.
The challenge, the call on our lives, is not to simply believe in God; the call, the example set by Jesus was about believing God.
Believing God for what? I hear you say! My answer, Jesus’ answer…. everything. Believing God when it comes to our families, kids, careers, finances, marriages, health and all the things not listed.
Believing God when he says he loves you! (Romans 5:8)
Believing God when he says he wants a relationship with you! (John 3:16)
Believing God when he says in Him, we can have a full life! (John 10:10)
Believing God when he says true freedom is in him! (2 Corinthians 3:17)
Believing God when he says he will not leave you nor forsake you! (Hebrews 13:5)
When He says he has good plans for your life (Jeremiah 29:11), when he says you are valuable, worthy (Matthew 10:29-31), believing Him when he says you are His child! (1 John 3)
Believing Him when He says nothing is impossible for him (Matthew 19:26).
There is so much to believe God about. But I know for myself that when I read that list (which is not exhaustive) that I can say yes and amen to all of them, yet that somehow doesn’t translate into actions and the reality of my everyday life. I think for most of us, it isn’t that we don’t believe God, but just because we don’t not believe, doesn’t mean we are believing Him either. Not belief or unbelief, more like apathy.
I guess the reality of this blog is a rally call for myself, to increase my faith, to ask for that thing once again, to not settle and live like I just believe in God but to believe Him for all that He has done, and said throughout my life, throughout the bible.
How different could my/our day to day look if we lived not just like we believe in God? How different could it be if we believe Him for all he has said, done and believe Him for who he is. When we believe God, we are believing the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the creator of the universe, the one who breathed life into you and me, we are believing He is for us and not against us!
For all of us to take this step at believing God for who he is and for what he has done is going to require humility and submission. Humility that He is God, and we are not, and submission to His ways, plans and timings.
I hope and pray that my life looks like someone who took God at His word, and didn’t just believe in Him, but to live a life that says I believe God!