Why Christians Don’t Believe in ChristWhat Does it Mean to “Believe”?
Lorraine Day, M.D.
“The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.” Psalm 14:1
But the BIGGER Fool hath said in his heart, “There IS a God, but I don’t believe a word He says.” Unfortunately, that defines a “Christian.” In this Bible study, you will understand why that is true.
We must come to God as a little child – having the Faith of a Child
“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from (those who think they are) wise and intelligent, and hast revealed them unto babes (those who trust God as a small child trusts his own parents). Matthew 11:25
We must come to God as His child, because only a child gets his prayers answered, a “wise” man does not.
“The wisdom of the world is foolishness with God.” 1 Cor 3:19
Those who believe they are wise and intelligent cannot understand God’s truth. Only when one believes God and obeys what they already know as a good child obeys his parents, will God open a person’s mind to His truth.
God says, “You will seek Me and you will find Me, (but ONLY) when you search for Me with ALL YOUR HEART!” Jeremiah 29:13
In order to “search for God” with all your heart, you must recognize your overwhelming need for God to run your life. And that only comes by having serious trouble in your life – trouble caused by making your OWN decisions – rather than allowing God to run your life for you. That is why God says,
“In this world you WILL have tribulation. But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Trials and Tribulations are necessary because they 1) make us recognize our need for Jesus Christ to run our life, 2) build character and, 3) make us diligent students of the Bible and strong followers of Jesus Christ.
“We glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance: and perseverance produces character, and character produces expectation (of what God’s goal is for our life);
And expectation does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by God’s breath of holiness (mistranslated “Holy Spirit”) which is given unto us (God’s very nature is put in us). Romans 5:3-5
God has many things He wants to show each one of us, but most are not willing to listen.
“Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things that you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
Only when we come to God as little children, will God open our mind so we can understand His truth and His character.
“Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
“And whoso shall receive one such little child in My name, receiveth Me. Matthew 18:3-5
The following texts do not apply necessarily only to actual children, but also to those who come to Jesus as a “child” trusting Him like a small child trusts his own parents – implicitly!
But Jesus said, Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14
“Out of the mouth of babes and infants has thou established strength because of thine enemies that thou mightest silence the enemy and the avenger.” Psalm 8:2
“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fattling together; and a little child shall led them.” Isaiah 11:6
“And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in My name (in My character) receiveth Me, and whosoever shall receive Me receiveth Him that sent Me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.” Luke 9:48
The Bible says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be SAVED.” Acts 16:31 “Belief” appears to be the ONLY thing necessary for a person to gain eternal life! If “belief” is ALL that is necessary to have eternal life, does one just have to “think” or “utter” the words, “I believe” and they are automatically saved? Is it that easy? What does it mean to “Believe”?
Jesus used the word believe, or a form of that word, eighty times. Obviously, it was, and is, very important to Him.
Some Christian denominations teach that all one has to do in order to be “saved” is to say a short recitation acknowledging that he or she is a sinner, that Jesus is the Son of God, that He was born of a virgin, died on the cross for our sins, was resurrected from the dead and now lives forever. That is considered the “belief” that is necessary in order to be saved.
Apparently, if one just says those words, then eternal life is guaranteed to that person – no matter what. This is what a large majority of Christians “believe.”
But what will heaven or the new earth be like if all who are there have only had to recite those words, then they have gone on living pretty much the way they did before. It is true that the denominations preach that God is against blatant alcoholism, adultery, overt stealing, obvious lying, and murder of an individual (apparently corporate murder - as in war - is acceptable to God – or so the “church” teaches by their example of supporting war), but with those few exceptions, life goes on pretty much as it did before. However, there IS one mandatory rule - one MUST attend church regularly and be “involved” in the “church” in order to be considered a “good” Christian!
This is MAN’S version of the word “Believe” - or “to have Faith.”
But let’s look at GOD’S definition of the word “Believe!”
The Bible says that,
Faith - WITHOUT works - is Dead!” James 2:20
The word translated “faith” in the Bible is exactly the same word as “belief” and “trust.”
This means that Belief (faith) - - WITHOUT the actions that correspond to that “belief” - - - is Dead! That kind of “faith” is worthless to God - - - and man. That is the what Timothy writes about in the following passage:
“Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof. From such turn away.” 1 Timothy
If one says he “believes” - but his life does NOT correspond to what he says he “believes,” then he does NOT believe, no matter how much he argues to the contrary.
How must a Christian’s life Change?
Let’s look at the different areas of a person’s life that MUST change when he or she becomes a Christian in order to manifest his or her “BELIEF!”
Do we BELIEVE that God is in charge of our Safety?
If a Christian says he believes in God, but at the same time, he believes in self-defense, he demonstrates that he does NOT believe in God.
God says, “Fear not,” numerous times in the Bible, (Ps 34:7, Isa 41:10, Ps 34:15, and many more). If we believe that WE must defend OURSELVES, then we DON’T believe in God. We DON’T believe that God WILL do what He has ALREADY PROMISED He will do - and that is to watch over us.
However, that does NOT mean that God will keep us from all harm. We know that nearly all the disciples of Christ were martyred, and martyrs died during the Dark Ages - and again Christians will be martyred for Christ in the future. If God allows harm to come to us, then He will accomplish something positive in our lives and in the lives of others through that experience.
We MUST learn to trust Him and NOT try to take our safety into our own hands. If we defend ourselves, we CANNOT claim that we “trust God!” If we take our safety into our own hands, where does God come into play? HE is the one who promises to protect us. But he CAN’T do that if we take our protection into our own hands.
We must believe in “God-defense” and NOT self-defense!
Do we BELIEVE that God is our Plan-maker?
J. N. Andrews, the first missionary of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) church, and the person for whom the SDA Theological Seminary is named, said:
“Find a field of labor, ask God to help, take off your coat, and go to work!”
That’s the sequence that virtually ALL Christians believe in. That’s the sequence that virtually ALL Christian organizations and denominations believe in. But, unfortunately, that’s the WRONG sequence!
Christians wrongfully “decide” what work God wants - or needs - done. Then they proceed to decide exactly HOW that work should be done. THEN they ask God to bless THEIR plans and THEIR process to complete THEIR plans! - - - as if God doesn’t have the ability to formulate His OWN plans or the PROCESS by which they should be carried out.
The more of “US” we have in any deal, the LESS God can accomplish.
Whenever GOD makes the plans and designs the process to complete the plans HE has made, things turn out perfectly. When we do things OUR way, disaster is always the result - - even when we THINK things have turned out pretty well - at least temporarily.
Let’s look at some Biblical examples demonstrating the results when GOD makes the plans AND the process - versus MAN taking over God’s job!
GOD makes the PLAN and the PROCESS. (Man just follows God’s orders and carries out GOD’S plans.)
1) Noah and the flood - building the boat. God told Noah He would save Him from the flood. How did God save Noah? Answer: God told Noah to build a boat. Notice that God did NOT leave the PLAN up to Noah. God made the Plan.
Then God told Noah EXACTLY how to build the boat, down to the last detail. God did NOT leave the PROCESS up to Noah, either, nor did God allow Noah to consult with the “finest” human expert boat-builders. God decided the process. God told Noah exactly how to build the boat. Noah was not allowed to make those decisions.
Noah’s job was to carry out, in EVERY detail, the Plan AND the Process that God had given him. When Noah allowed God to make the plans and to decide the process by which the plans were to be carried out, there was great ultimate success.
2) Joshua and the battle of Jericho: God was the Plan-maker for the Battle of Jericho - - NOT Joshua. God made the Plans - - NOT Joshua, and God designated the Process. Joshua’s job was to do EXACTLY what God told Him to do. When Joshua did that, he had great success. Marching around a city and then blowing trumpets is not your average successful “battle plan.” It took faith and courage for Joshua to do exactly what God told him to do. Joshua was a warrior and from a human standpoint would undoubtedly have had a much different “battle plan.” But Joshua chose to follow God’s plan – with enormous success.
3) The original Passover in Egypt: God told the Israelites to put the blood on the doorpost. That was NOT the Israelites idea, nor was it Moses’ idea. It was God’s PLAN to save the First Born of the Israelites, and God designated the Process by which it was to be done. The Israelites did NOT make the Plans, nor did they design the Process. It was ALL of God. The ONLY job of the Israelites was to do EXACTLY as God had told them. THEN the First-born of the Israelites were spared.
When MAN makes the PLAN and/or the PROCESS the ultimate outcome is ALWAYS failure.
1) Jonah: God told Jonah to go to Nineveh to warn the people to repent. Jonah had a different plan - his OWN plan, which almost cost him his life.
2) Joshua and the battle of Ai (Joshua 7:1-12): Joshua, flush with victory over Jericho, forgot Who his Plan-maker was. Joshua decided to make his OWN plans and design his OWN process to carry out the plans for the battle of Ai, instead of letting God make the plans and process. Joshua’s plans resulted in a disaster for the Israelites with significant loss of life.
3) The Israelites decided to fight for themselves instead of letting God fight for them: When God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, they had NO weapons! They had only pieces of gold, silver and yard goods. It was God’s plan that the Israelites do NO fighting.
When the Israelites were hedged in by mountains on one side and the Red Sea on another side, and the Egyptians were in hot pursuit, God NEVER wanted the Israelites to take charge of their own safety.
“And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will show to you today; for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever.
“The Lord shall fight for you, and you shall be quiet.” Exodus 14:13,14
God opened the Red Sea and saved the Israelites.
However, a short time later, we find that the Israelites acquired their own weapons (probably by picking up the weapons of the Egyptians drowned in the Red Sea) and defending themselves against the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-13).
From then on, Israel tried to fight their OWN battles that resulted in much loss of life, and many failures.
4) Peter picked the replacement for the 12th apostle (Acts 1:15-26): Jesus, Himself, picked ALL the twelve apostles. After Judas had betrayed Christ and committed suicide, Peter decided that HE should choose the next disciple. But Jesus had NEVER given Peter the authority to do that.
Jesus had ascended to heaven but He still had the authority, the obligation and the ability to pick His OWN disciples. Peter wrongly assumed that since Jesus was no longer visible on earth that Jesus could not - or would not - still be in charge of His group.
Peter and the other disciples picked Mathias. After that occurrence, Mathias is never again mentioned in the Bible. Jesus ignored the choice of Peter and the other disciples. When the time came for the twelfth disciple to be chosen, Jesus, HIMSELF, chose Paul!
It was to Paul that God revealed His plan of Universal Restoration. Paul evangelized most of the then-known world. And Paul became the author of the majority of the New Testament.
5) Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden: God had a Plan and a Process. “Eat of every tree of the Garden, EXCEPT the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.”
Adam and Eve chose to make their OWN plans. And here we all are, drowning in sin!
In fact, the Bible is just one long historical record of humanity refusing to do things God’s way and instead insisting on doing things “man’s” way --- and the disastrous outcomes that followed!
Do you believe that God WILL:
Save EVERYONE?
Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:21;
“For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of ALL mankind, especially of those who believe.”1 Tim 4:10;
“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who wills (the word here is NOT “desires” – it is “wills”) that ALL men be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Tim 2:4-6;
“And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make ALL new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” Rev 21:5;
“The Father loves the Son, and has given ALL into His hand.” “ALL that the Father giveth Me, SHALL COME to Me: and him that cometh to Me I will certainly not cast out.” John 3:35 and John 6:37-39;
“That at the name (character) of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and those in earth, and those under the earth. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil 2:10,11,
“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8;
“For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creation was made subject to futility (sin) NOT willingly, but by reason of Him who has subjected the same in expectation;
“Because the (whole) creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” Romans 8:19-23
Make EVERYONE perfect?
“You SHALL be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48 (literal translation)
Heal EVERYONE who believes?
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved (sozo in the Greek), and thy household.” Acts 16:31 (Check on the meaning of the Greek word “sozo.” It means to heal both PHYSICALLY and SPIRITUALLY.)
But of course, those who “believe” will also follow God’s “Process” – His natural way of healing which is God’s Natural Ten Step Health Plan.
Heal ALL our diseases (but ONLY if we do it GOD’S way – and NOT “man’s” way (the ways of the doctors)?
“He forgives ALL your sin, and heals ALL your diseases.” Ps 103:3;
In the following passage, God promises that if we OBEY His laws, His Commandments and His Decrees, He will keep us FREE from EVERY disease.
“Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statues and the judgments which I command thee this day, to do them.
Wherefore it shall come to pass, If ye listen to these judgments and keep, and do them, that the Lord thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which He sware unto thy fathers.
“And He will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee; He will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy grain, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy cattle, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he promised unto thy fathers to give thee.
“Thou shalt be blessed above all people; there shall not be male or female barren among you (God’s guarantee against infertility) or among your cattle.
“And the Lord will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt (those that do NOT know God), which thou knowest, upon thee” but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.” Deut 7:11-15
“For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds.” Jeremiah 30:17
“And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and He shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.” Exodus 23:25;
“If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and will do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep ALL His statues, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians (those who do NOT know God – even though they may think they do): for I am the Lord that healeth thee.” Exodus 15:26
Keep us FREE from EVERY disease (if we follow God’s Laws, His Commandments, and His Decrees)? Deut 7:11-15 (see above)
Sustain us financially?
“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:19;
“Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?” Luke 12:24
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will be withheld from them that walk uprightly.” Ps 84:11
“Therefore do not worry saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? Or Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Unbelievers – the heathen – (mistranslated “Gentiles”) seek: for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and ALL these things shall be added unto you.”
“Take therefore no thought for tomorrow: for tomorrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the trouble thereof. Matthew 6:31-34
We must trust God one day at a time, knowing that God has a million ways to provide for us.
“If then God so clothes the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven: how much more will He clothe you, O ye of little faith?
“And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither have an anxious mind;
“For all these things do the Unbelievers (literally: nations or heathen) of the world seek after and your Father knows that you have need of these things.
“But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Luke 12:28-31
“Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.” Deut 29:9
“And he (Azariah, king of Judah) sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the fear (reverence) of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper.” 2 Chron 26:5
Provide our food and water?
“Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?” Luke 12:22-24
“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:19;
“Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat: neither for the body, what you shall put on.
“The life is more than food and the body is more than clothing.
Save our children?
“But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.” Isaiah 49:25
Teach us DIRECTLY (“You need no man to teach you. One is your Teacher, Christ”)?
“These things have I written unto you concerning them that deceive you. But the anointing which you have received of Him abideth in you (Jesus Christ), and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him.1 John 2:26,27
“And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” Isa 54:13
“It is written in the prophets, And they shall be ALL taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard and hath learned of the Father, comes unto Me.” John 6:45
“Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
“And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist, some, Elias; and others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.
He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
“And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood has NOT revealed it unto you, but My Father which is in heaven (has revealed it to you). Matthew 16:13-17
Lead us into ALL truth (spiritual, political, medical)?
“Howbeit when He, the Breath (Spirit) of truth has come, He will guide you into ALL truth.” John 16:13
Never forsake us?
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for He hath said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.
“So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man can do unto me.” Heb 13:5
Direct EVERY moment of our lives and tell us exactly what HE wants us to do?
“For it is GOD which works in you both to WILL (to be willing) and to DO (to be able to accomplish) His good pleasure.” Phil 2:13
“O Lord, I know that the way of man is NOT in himself: it is NOT in man that walketh to direct his (own) steps.” Jer 10:23
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean NOT on thine own understanding.
In ALL thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths (make thy paths smooth or straight). Prov 3:6
“I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways; he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the Lord of hosts.” Isa 45:13
“I form the light, and I create darkness; I make peace, and I create calamity: I the Lord do all these things. . .
“Woe unto him that strives with his Maker! Does the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioned it, What are you making? Or shall thy work say, He hath no hands?
I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even My hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.” Isaiah 45:7-12
We are not in charge of OUR will, or OUR endeavors, it is ALL of God. We have no right to tell God what to do with our life. He controls everything as is shown in the passage below.
“It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy (lovingkindness).
“For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show My power in thee, and that MY name might be declared throughout all the earth. (It was God who was controlling Pharaoh.)
“Therefore has He mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will He hardeneth.
“Thou will say then unto me, Why does He yet find fault? For who has resisted His will?
“Nay but, O man, who are you to reply against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it, “Why have you made me this way?
“Has the Potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?” Romans 9:16-21
God honors tithing.
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that here may be food in My house, and test Me now, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Malachi 3:10
Answer ALL our prayers?
“The righteous cry, and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” Ps 34:17
“Call to Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things that you do not know.” Jer 33:3
“Evening and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice.” Psalm 55:17
“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Isa 65:24
“He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble: I will deliver him, and honour him. Psalm 91:15
“If My people, which are called by My name (character), shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chron 7:14
“And all things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.” Matthew 21:22
“For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Luke 11:10
“And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask ANYTHING according to His will, He hears us.” 1 John 5:14
Give us peace so we can “be anxious for NOTHING”?
“Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God.
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6,7
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
“When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid; yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.” Prov 3:24;
Give us understanding of His end-time prophecies?
“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write unto you.
“For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
“For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labour pains upon a pregnant woman, and they shall not escape.
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
You are all the children of light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
“Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be self-controlled.” 1 Thess 5:1-9
“Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things that are written therein: for the time is at hand.: Rev 1:3
“Now I tell you before it comes, that, when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He.” John 13:19
Sustain us through terrible torture and possible death?
“Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
“Quenched the violence of the fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned in flight the armies of the foreigners (invading countries)
“Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.
“And others had trials of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of chains and imprisonment:
“They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword; they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins: being destitute, afflicted, tormented:
“(Of whom the world was not worthy) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens, and caves of the earth.
“And these all, having obtained a good testimony through faith, received not the promise:
“God having provided some better thing for us, that they apart from us, should not be made complete.” Hebrews 11:32-40
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have; for He has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Heb 13:5
Be able to save the most wicked, wretched individual who has ever lived on this earth?
“Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25
“Moreover the law entered, that sin may abound. But where sin abounds, garce did much more abound.” Romans 5:20
“He forgives all your sins; and heals all your diseases:
And redeems your life from destruction (being lost); who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies; Psalm 103:3,4
A Christian must have faith – REAL faith that is demonstrated in how a Christian lives and how a Christian depends on GOD and HIS Promises – and does NOT depend on “man” (doctors, pastors, psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, support groups, advice from family and friends).
“Without faith (belief) it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God; for he that comes to God MUST BELIEVE that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
“Anything is possible if you have faith (belief).” Mark 9:23
Having “Faith” means that you truly believe that God WILL do what He has already PROMISED to do!
“Now the just (righteous) shall live by faith (belief). And if ANY man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in Him.” Hebrews 10:38
“Faith (belief) comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” Romans 10:17
We learn to TRUST God (have Faith in God) by getting to know Him, by the diligent, daily, study of His Word, and through prayer.
“For we walk by faith, and not by sight.” 2 Cor 5:7
Believing is Seeing. When we Believe (have Faith) then we will SEE God’s Promises fulfilled. We must “Believe” first – only later will we “See.”
How does one know if he or she has faith?
The Greek word in the Bible for faith is the same word that is often translated belief or trust. In other words, the words faith, belief and trust are all the same word in the Greek and can be used interchangeably.
When a person says he believes in God that should mean that he has faith in God. But how is that faith manifested? Does one just have to say, “I have faith” or “I believe in God” in order to manifest faith? No.
Christians often say that “believing” means that they “believe” that Jesus died on the Cross for our sins, and that Jesus is the Son of God, and that Jesus was/is the Messiah. But there is no way to demonstrate those “beliefs” by their actions. What about all of God’s Promises? If one truly “believes” God’s promises, they will act on those promises, turning to GOD for their answers – instead of turning to “man.”
The Bible tells us that:
“Faith without works is dead.” James 2:20,26
“Faith without the actions that correspond to that faith, is dead - useless.”
If one claims to believe in God, yet his actions do not correspond to that belief, his “faith” is useless – and it is NOT “faith.” In other words, if someone says they believe in Jesus Christ but their behavior does not demonstrate that they believe the following: 1) He heals ALL our diseases if we do it His way, 2) He will sustain us financially, 3) He will make us perfect – on this earth, 4) He will eventually save everyone, 5) He will give us peace so we can be “anxious for nothing”, and ALL the other Promises God has given us, then that person does NOT believe in Jesus Christ.
We are told:
“Be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only.” James 1:22
Having faith means that we believe that God WILL do what He has already PROMISED to do, and that our actions will demonstrate our faith. We will DO what we BELIEVE.
The only way we can know if we have faith is if God tests our faith - severely. So how does God test our faith? By bringing us to the brink of disaster – sometimes to the brink of death – sometimes to death itself.
Are you willing to die for Christ? Peter thought he was willing to die for Christ. Peter said he was willing to die for Christ. But when the test came, he failed the test completely. He lied about knowing Christ, then ran away like a coward.
Faith is built in the drudgery of life, not in moments of crisis. Faith is built from having time alone with God in Bible study and prayer. Faith is not in public - when the lights shine and the cameras roll.
There are many examples in the Bible from which we may learn about faith.
Abraham sacrificing his son Isaac.
“And it came to pass after these things, that God did test Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
“And He said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
The word translated burnt in virtually all Bibles, including the King James Bible, is actually a mistranslation of the word ascent. God told Abraham to present his son Isaac as an ascent offering.
Ascent offerings were “Thank” offerings for the purpose of thanksgiving only. They are NOT offerings for sin. But since animals that were presented as ascent offerings were killed first, then burned on the altar, Abraham misunderstood God’s instructions, and thus, Abraham misinterpreted God and His character.
Pagan gods required human burning sacrifices, but God’s character is very different. Abraham thought God wanted him to bind, kill and burn his son as a sacrifice to God, just like the pagan gods required human burning sacrifices (i.e., the pagan god, Molech). But God wanted Abraham to dedicate Isaac’s life to God as a “living sacrifice” – not a dead one. God says:
“Present your body a LIVING sacrifice. . .” Romans 12:1
God is horrified that human beings, including Christians, could ever believe that He would want human burning sacrifices. In chastising the Israelites for their fall into apostasy, including allowing their children to be burned to death as a sacrifice to the pagan god, Molech, God said:
“And they built the high places of Baal (the sacred places of pagan worship), which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom (Gehenna), to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them NOT, neither came it into My mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.” Jeremiah 32:35
They have built also the high places of Baal to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into My mind.” Jeremiah 19:5
God says that he would never require or condone human burning sacrifices. He did not command it, nor did He speak it, nor would it ever have entered His mind that they should do this Abomination.
So if it would “never enter God’s mind” to require human burning sacrifices, why would God “require human burning sacrifices” in hellfire?
It is Satan – Baal/Molech – NOT God - who requires human burning sacrifices
Yet, the entire Christian church believes that God does require human burning sacrifices - - - because they ALL believe that God will throw millions of people – alive – into a burning hellfire – to burn forever, or as long as long as they deserve, depending on your particular belief!
Christians have embraced Satan’s character and put it on the face of God – believing that they are worshiping God, when in reality they are worshiping Satan.
“The Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna) held terrible national memories for the Israelite people of what had taken place there during their early history in the land. This horror was one of the reasons, if not the reason, that Gehenna was such an abomination to them.
“This was the place where the terrible idol Molech had stood, the place where children were sacrificed to him. Molech the monster-god demanded that human beings be burned alive. Thos that teach this tell us that we should accept it without a murmur, because (they argue) God has every right to do this on account of being the biggest kid on the block.
“There is a big difference made, though, between the fiery torment suffered by the victims of Molech and that which God is said to inflict, and that is that the sufferings of those offered to Molech, however terrible, ended when they died of their injuries. The slander against God says that He will prolong the torments of His victims endlessly.
Some of those who argue in favor of eternal fiery torment say that they would calmly accept the fate of this “hell” for their parents, spouses, children, because, they say, it would be “the will of God.”
“Curiously, this is precisely the response that was required of the parents of those sacrificed to Molech. The parents stood before the idol and offered their small child, who was held in the vice-like grip of the idol’s fiery hot hands. This device was then turned so that the baby or toddler was gradually carried into the fire. As their child screamed in agony in the flames, the parents were required to stand completely unmoved. This was a demand that they kill in themselves every ounce of “compassion and emotionalism.” If the mother or father betrayed even the slightest feeling, the sacrifice would be unacceptable.
“God called this practice an abomination in no uncertain terms, and said that such a terrible thing had never entered His mind. He warns us not to engage in double-think about this, as do those who say God is good, and God is love, yet also that He will commit this ghastly brutality:
”Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20)
“If we pattern our image of God after Molech, we have forsaken God and embraced the Devil. If we worship such a being we are not worshipping the God of the Bible, who experiences the fall of every sparrow. If we bow down to this image we are bowing to the image of the beast – the nastiest, most vicious beast imaginable, the lowest manifestation of animal nature. This image is NOT the image of God, this is NOT Jesus Christ.
“Jesus came to set the captives free, He came to heal the brokenhearted, to liberate the people who were damaged. Jesus had compassion. Jesus wept. Jesus, not Molech, is the exact image of God. Jesus took upon Himself the increasing harm, degradation and corruption that have been passed down through the generations.
“I say again, Jesus is the exact image of God. Jesus did not mind being “emotional” . . . this is the real image of God. God is LOVE. Real love, not just in word only. Real love does everything it can for the benefit, especially the long-term benefit, of the one who is loved.” The Molech Mentality, by Ruth Jacob.
And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and split the wood for the burnt (ascent) offering, and rose up, and went unto the place that God had told him.
Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
Notice that Isaac was a type of Christ. Christ was God’s son – who would hundreds of years later be sacrificed for the sin of the world. Abraham and Isaac walked for three days. During those three days, Isaac was alive – not dead.
When Jesus was about to be crucified, the Pharisees asked for a sign.
Jesus said, I will give you one sign and one sign only, as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth, three days and three nights. Matthew 12:40
Both Jonah and Isaac were alive during the three days and three nights. That reveals to us that Jesus was also alive during His three days and three nights, which began and ended BEFORE He was crucified, NOT after He was dead.
No matter how you look at it, there is no way one can find three days and three nights from Friday afternoon until Sunday morning. There are only TWO nights. Jesus was very specific. He said, “Three days and three nights” and He always began the counting with His betrayal – not His crucifixion. For example:
“Behold we go up to Jerusalem and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn Him to death. And shall deliver Him to the Gentiles (literal – Unbelievers) to mock and to scourge, and to crucify Him, and the third day He shall rise again.” Matthew 20:18,19
Jesus was not resurrected on Sunday. He was resurrected on Friday evening, at sundown, when the Seventh-day Sabbath began. The Greek word sabbaton means Sabbath, NOT “the first day of the week.” The “three days and three nights” began with Christ’s betrayal by Judas after the dinner at Simon, the leper’s house on Tuesday night. A disgruntled Judas left Simon the leper’s house and actually made the contract with the Pharisees on Tuesday night to deliver Jesus to them on Thursday night, a contract for which Judas received thirty pieces of silver. (Matt 16:15) Jesus was crucified on Friday afternoon, he died at 3:00 P.M. on Friday, and He was taken down off the cross before sundown on Friday night. For more on this subject, see “Was Jesus Really Resurrected on Sunday?” at www.goodnewsaboutgod.com (Click on “Spiritual Truth” on the home page.)
And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the donkey; and I and the young man will go yonder and worship and come back again to you.
And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.
And Isaac spoke unto Abraham his father and said, My father: And he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb (literal “goat”) for a burnt offering?
And Abraham said, My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering; so they went both of them together.
This is considered to be a prophecy of the coming Messiah who would provide “Himself” as a “lamb” for a sacrificial offering, to save the whole world.
And they came to the place that God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
Abraham was taken to the absolute brink – to test if he trusted God.
Again, Abraham did not understand God’s character: as a loving Savior – rather than as a destroyer!
And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast no withheld thy son, thine only son from Me.
God has demonstrated that He does NOT require human burning sacrifices even though the entire Christian church believes God does - and has misrepresented God’s character as the character of Satan (Baal/Molech).
And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt (ascent) offering instead of his son.
And Abraham called the name of that place, Jehovahjireh (The Lord Will Provide), as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.
And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time.
And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son”
That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies:
And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed My voice. Genesis 22:1-18
Abraham’s faith was tested to the maximum – to the point that he thought he would have to watch his son die, in fact, that Abraham would himself, kill his son.
The “seed” of Abraham does NOT refer to the present-day Jews. The “seed” of Abraham refers to Christ and His true followers.
Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many, but as of one. And to thy seed, which is Christ.”
And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heir according to the promise.” Galatians 3:16 and 29
2 Daniel in the Lions Den
Daniel was tested to the point of death. He was framed by his enemies in the government and unjustly accused, for which he was thrown into the Lions’ den. God did not deliver Daniel before he entered the Lions’ den. God allowed Daniel to be thrown into the Lions den to test his faith. Daniel was willing to die for God, and God “closed” the mouths of the lions because of Daniel’s great faith. Daniel, Chapter 6.
3 Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego and the Fiery Furnace.
Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego were bound with ropes and thrown into the fiery furnace because they would not bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar’s image. They said to the king:
“We have no need to answer thee in this matter.
“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we wilt not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image, which thou hast set up. Daniel 3:16-18
Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego had their faith tested to the point of death. God allowed them to be thrown into the fiery furnace, but protected them from the fire. And Christ was seen walking in the fire with them. (Jesus says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Heb 13:5) While in the fire, the three young men were not harmed in any way. Not a hair of their head was burned. All that was burned were the ropes that bound them - ropes that represented the bondage of “sin.” The symbolic “sin” – the ropes - were burned up, but the men themselves were not harmed.
God is again showing us that His “fiery law” (Deut 33:2) burns the sin out of our life, but it does NOT burn “us” up.
God does NOT require human burning sacrifices in hellfire. That is the character of Satan – NOT God.
The only way we can know if we have FAITH in God is for us to be severely tested – even to the point of death. This kind of faith is not obtained by going to church, or “working” for God.
This kind of faith is only obtained by getting to know Jesus Christ so well – through fervent, diligent, daily Bible study and prayer – that we learn to TRUST Him with everything in our life. And we become willing to let God make our Plans and our Process.
Our only job is to follow His directions implicitly!
“Common sense and faith are as different from each other as the natural life is from the spiritual, and as impulsiveness is from inspiration. Nothing that Jesus Christ ever said is common sense, but is revelation sense, and is complete, whereas common sense falls short. Yet faith must be tested and tried before it becomes real in your life.
“We know that all things work together for good . . . “(Romans 8:28)
“No matter what happens, the transforming power of God’s providence transforms perfect faith into reality. Faith always works in a personal way, because the purpose of God is to see that perfect faith is made real in His children.
“The life of faith says, ‘Lord, You have said it, it appears to be irrational, but I’m going to step out boldly, trusting in Your Word.
“Turning intellectual faith into our personal possession is always a fight, not just sometimes. God brings us into particular circumstances to educate our faith, because the nature of faith is to make the object of our faith very real to us.
“Until we know Jesus, God is merely a concept, and we can’t have faith in Him. Faith is the entire person in the right relationship with God through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers,
Oct. 30
“Faith by its very nature must be tested and tried. And the real trial of faith is not that we find it difficult to trust God, but that God’s character must be proven as trustworthy in our own minds. Faith being worked out into reality must experience times of unbroken isolation.. .
“Faith, as the Bible teaches it, is faith in God coming against everything that contradicts Him - - a faith that says, ‘I will remain true to God’s character whatever He may do.’ The highest and the greatest expression of faith in the whole Bible is
“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15) Ibid. Oct 31
Christians DON’T Believe in Jesus Christ
1 Virtually ALL “Christians” believe in Satan’s lie of Hellfire for the wicked, either forever or “for as long as they deserve.” It is Molech/Baal, the symbols of Satanic gods, who require human burning sacrifices – NOT Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the WHOLE world. (For more information, see “Was the Doctrine of Hellfire manufactured by Theologians?” and “Is God a Killer God? What Happens at the Judgment?” at www.goodnewsaboutgod.com)
2 Virtually ALL “Christians” believe in Satan’s lie that human beings have “Free Will” therefore God can’t do anything for them unless the person allows it. Yet God says that He is “operating everything according to the council of HIS OWN WILL.” (Eph 1:11) (For more information see, “Do we Really Have Free Will?” at www.goodnewsaboutgod.com)
3 Virtually ALL “Christians” believe in Satan’s lie of the “Immortality of the Soul” meaning that when one dies, he or she goes to heaven as a ghost or “spirit.” Yet the Bible tells us that God ALONE is Immortal (1 Timothy 6:16) and that when a person dies, he is in the grave and knows nothing. That lie is a contradiction of God’s truth and came right out of Satan’s mouth in the Garden of Eden: “Ye shall not surely die.”(For more information, see “What Happens When We Die?” at www.goodnewsaboutgod.com)
4 Virtually ALL “Christians” have been deceived by Satan into believing that they have faith, yet they do NOT believe that God means what He says when He promises: a) to “heal ALL our diseases” if we follow HIS ways, b) eventually save everyone in the world, c) give us peace so we can be “anxious for nothing”, d) never leave us nor forsake us, and all the other Biblical truths we have just discussed above.
Instead, “Christians” believe in “man” – doctors, pastors, psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors for their healing, salvation, and peace, even though the Bible tells us:
“We ought to obey GOD rather than men.” Acts 5:29
Satan is the father of lies and has deceived the whole world, including Christians, into thinking that they believe in Jesus Christ, when they don’t. In fact, Satan has superimposed his own character on the face of Jesus Christ and the whole “Christian” world has “bought it.” They are worshiping the character of Satan while believing it is the character of God.
5 Virtually ALL “Christians” think they believe in Creation, yet they have embraced Satan’s pagan day of the sun god – Sunday – as their day of worship even though God, Himself, made the Seventh-day Sabbath – Saturday – holy as a memorial of His Creation, and commanded that we keep it every week.
“Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work, but the Seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord, thy God. In it thou shalt not do any work. . . For in Six days the Lord made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that in them is, and He rested (stopped) on the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and made it HOLY.” Exodus 20: 8-11
By rejecting the day God, Himself, made holy – the day that God has commanded us to keep holy – the day that God, Himself, declared as a Memorial of His creation of humanity and the whole world, and by embracing Satan’s pagan day of the sun – Sunday – as their day of worship, the “Christian” church has rejected Creation and thereby, at least by default, promotes evolution.
In addition, “Christians” have deliberately rejected the day that God made holy, and have accepted Satan’s day – the pagan day of the sun god – thereby setting Satan up as their god.
It is clear that the entire “Christian” church has been deceived. The “god” they worship has the character of Satan because that god:
1. KILLS his enemies even though Jesus Christ said, “LOVE your enemies. . .”
2. Is unable to save all the children He has created even though the Bible tells us, ”He is the Savior of ALL mankind, especially of those who believe.” 1 Timothy 4:10
3. Has lost control of his creation by giving humanity Freewill – according to the church - even though the Bible tells us that God is “operating everything according to the council of HIS OWN will.” Ephesians 1:11 It was Satan who said, “If you eat of this tree, you will be as God” (Genesis 3”5) – you will have Freewill and dethrone God. You will become your OWN god.
4. Is NOT the creator of the world because virtually ALL “Christians” have rejected the fact of “Creation” because they have rejected God’s own memorial to His creation – the Seventh-day Sabbath, even though the Bible clearly tells us: “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made: and He rested on the Seventh day from all His work which He had made. And God BLESSED the Seventh day, and made it HOLY because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made.” Genesis 2:1-3
5. has given man immortality – the false doctrine that one goes to heaven when he dies – even though the Bible tells us that “Only GOD is immortal.” 1 Timothy 6:16
6. throws his children in an everlasting hellfire, even though the God tells us that He NEVER commanded anyone to be burned alive, “nor did the thought ever enter His mind” and that burning people alive (as in hellfire) is an abomination. Jeremiah 32:35
The god of the “Christian” church is NOT Jesus Christ. It is an imposter who has all the characteristics of Satan, yet Christians think they are worshiping Jesus Christ.
In addition, God has made many promises to those who truly believe on Him, none of which Christians actually believe. Because if they did, they would act on their beliefs.
“Faith without works is dead.” James 2:20, 26
Faith, without the actions that correspond to that faith, is no faith at all!
That’s why Christians DON’T believe in Christ!