Have you ever stopped to think about why you believe? Perhaps you are not a believer, and no one has ever taken the time to explain the gospel to you. We all come from different backgrounds and grow up with the influence of those around us. Our environment has a profound impact on our beliefs. There are those who seek a deeper meaning in life—those who are fully dedicated to the religion that their parents had. Then, some want nothing to do with any religion because of some painful situation they experienced with a religious group. However, many do say they believe in God, but their belief has never been more than a mental assent that there is a God. He is not personal to them. Where do you fit if you are a believer?
In John chapter 2, Jesus was attending the Passover in Jerusalem. This was common for any Jew. It was seen as a special time when all Jews would remember what God had done for them while they were slaves in Egypt. Here we find that many believed because they saw the miracles that Jesus did. It is not a bad thing to believe because you experience something that you cannot explain in any other way. Still, many who believe because of a supernatural experience lose sight of the true miracle of salvation. When they pray and God does not answer the way they want Him to, they become disenchanted with God and stop believing. In verse 24, we learn that Jesus did not commit Himself to them. Jesus, the one who knows all men, knew how fickle the multitude could be. He knew their hearts and knew with the aid of words from Jewish leaders, they would turn on Him. In verse 25, He knows what is in the heart of man. Jesus was God in the flesh and therefore He knows all.
John 2:23-25 “Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.”
Others believe this because that is what they have heard their whole lives. However, if that is your reason. You have a head knowledge, but not a heart belief. Your belief is based on mental knowledge but not experiential knowledge. Intellectually, we can know the facts and give all the correct answers, but true belief will engage both mental and heart knowledge. Genuine faith takes the facts and allows those facts to engage the emotions, which will change the will or desires of the person. There is one element that we must not overlook. John 6:44 teaches us that unless the Father deals with our hearts by the Holy Spirit, we cannot be saved.
John 6:44 “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
There are also those who make a profession of faith because they fear going to hell. While this should be a motivator, we must grow to the point that we give our lives to the control of God because of who He is and what He has done for us. I have been saved for many years, but I still am in awe of a God who is perfect, knows everything about me, and still loves me enough to sacrifice His only Son for me. I gave my heart to Jesus and sought forgiveness of my sins when I was 10 because I was afraid of going to hell, but when I surrendered to Him, love and gratitude filled my heart, and all I wanted to do was say thank you and tell someone else how they, too, could experience this gift and this freedom.
I believe because I have learned of Christ and experienced Christ. I know His spirit dwells within me, and He knows my heart completely. I want Him to reveal to me anything that is in my life that is not pleasing to Him. I never want to drift from Him and allow my relationship to become mental knowledge.
Why do you believe? Is it because of what you see when people are healed? Is it because you have heard the story all your life, and it is part of your heritage? I pray that it is because you understand that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. I pray that you open your mind and your heart to the truth and seek forgiveness for your sins, surrendering to Jesus as your Lord and Savior. If you seek, you will find.
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
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