CLAY CENTER — Eighty-three percent of U.S. adults believe in God, according to a Pew Research article published this year. Despite numbers declining over the decades, it is still very high. During 30+ years of ministry in rural areas throughout the Great Plains, I have met many people who are a part of the 83%. Regulars at the local bar, businessmen, county jail inmates, greeters at the church, friendly neighbors across the street and politicians – they all believe in God.
I have an honest question. If that many people believe in God, then why do we have so much crime and immorality? I think I have a point. Should not this belief make a difference in people’s lives, impacting their behavior and thereby their communities?
If I am right, then we are left to conclude one thing. There must be a misunderstanding about what it really means to believe in God.
The Bible is the original source for understanding the whole idea of belief in God. It did not originate from a pollster or rise from philosophical thought. A casual reading of the Bible reveals where it came from. The famous John 3:16 states this idea, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Additionally, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (Jn. 6:35) Then in another place, a man is told to, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved …” (Acts 16:31)
When we look at what the Bible says on the subject of belief, five truths surface. 1) Believing in God is synonymous with a belief in Jesus. Since He is God’s Son, to refuse to belief in Jesus becomes a pointless belief, for Jesus said, “And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.” (John 12:45) 2) Believing in God is the recognition of Jesus, and accepting by faith His deity, virgin birth, death and resurrection, though you may not understand it all. 3) Believing in God is to trust in Jesus, meaning you are willing to entrust your whole life into His care and come under His authority. 4) Believing in God is to follow Jesus, meaning you are willing to do what Jesus and His Word says, no matter the cost – even unto death. 5) Believing in God is union with Jesus, meaning Christ is in you and you are in Him.
Too often when someone says, “I believe in God,” they are talking about an intellectual belief, or more accurately, it could be called an “acknowledgement.” They acknowledge God’s existence, and some details about who He is. And the same could be said about Jesus. This type of strange belief is far away from the Bible’s correct understanding of it.
People like the 83% were directly addressed in the Bible, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe – and shudder.” (James 2:19) The Devil himself and the demons of hell acknowledge the existence of God, but they go no further. They refuse to accept the supreme authority of Christ and come under His Lordship. They refuse to turn from their sin and place their full trust in Jesus. They refuse to reorder their life according to the ways of God.
The belief most have is a mere acknowledgement which does not lead to a changed life and a moral transformation, where the old has gone, the new has come because of the Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Today, I urge you to move past a mere acknowledgement of Jesus and embrace a full-on, radical belief in Christ. Go beyond the superficial words of religion, and by faith, yield yourself totally to Him.
A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray you will bring people to move past the acknowledgements of Christ, and to a true biblical belief in you. May they humble themselves and come under your Lordship and follow you as their supreme authority in all areas of their life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Clint Decker is president of Great Awakenings. Share comments at cdecker@greatawakenings.org and follow his blog at clintdecker.blogspot.com.
