Vol. 3 #14 June 20, 2004

Believeth

Written by Christopher Mentzer

In the final part of John 3: 16 we find the word “Believeth”. Earlier this year Ed Northam gave an excellent example of the words “belief” and “faith”: Belief is a state of mind that results when a person decides a matter is true even though absolute physical proof is absent. NOTE: Belief may exist without producing faith (Acts 26:27, “King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.” John 12:42, “Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess `it', lest they should be put out of the synagogue”). Faith exists when people decide to trust a belief so intensely that they change their behavior (life style) to conform to their convictions.

But what if believe wasn’t necessary for salvation. One could acknowledge something and yet not believe in it. People recognize Santa Claus but that doesn’t mean they believe in him. The same with The Easter Bunny, The Tooth Fairy, and an Honest Politician. What if acknowledgement was enough but the main focus was good works?

In Titus 2: 7, the first part of that verse reads: "In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works…" Now the question you would have to ask is what kind of good works or how much good works is worthy of salvation. The problem is, though, you will never know. Picture yourself working constantly; giving to charities, donating you time to helping feed and clothe the poor, spending long hours at care facilities to tend to the sick, the elderly, even visiting prisons and then find out it’s still not enough. Why? Maybe your heart wasn’t into the good works, or not enough money was spent or whatever. You just won’t know.

And what about the dying thief on the cross next to Jesus? In Luke 23: 42 the thief says to Jesus: "Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." Now picture Jesus rebuking him by saying, "You’re nothing more than a common thief, a criminal who took and did not give!" How would that make the thief feel? How would that make you feel to read such a response? Belief and faith are an important part. Look at Heb. 11: 6, "6. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." And then onto James 2: 17-18: “17. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18.Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works."

Faith and good works go hand in hand to please the Lord. And believing is a large part of faith. In John 20: 29, Jesus appeared to his disciples a second time and gave Thomas proof of his resurrection. "29. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." And the best way to get faith is by hearing the gospel (Rom. 10: 17).

In conclusion we know that John 3:16 is true! We proven God’s existence, His love for the World, His gift to the World in His son, and that anyone who believes may receive everlasting life. “…This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” (Matt. 17: 5)