John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
I would like to share with you this morning about the word ‘believes.’ I pray you will read with an open heart, I pray a desire and hunger will be awakened within someone this morning for more of God, to go on to the fullness prepared for each of us in Christ as we walk by faith.
The word “believe” signifies a belief that is alive and vibrant, that is continually growing. In its Greek definition, to believe is to think something to be true, to be persuaded of, and to place confidence in someone, to have faith. It means to entrust one’s spiritual well being to Christ. In its usage in the text here, it represents as I said, a belief that is ongoing, that is growing day by day. It is he that goes on believing that shall not perish, for he that ceases to believe ceases to live spiritually, the same way that the man who ceases to breathe ceases to live. This is the essence of faith, it is ongoing and active, the just shall live by faith Habakkuk 2:4 says. We walk by faith Paul says( 2Corinthians 5:7).
To believe is to continually entrust my life to Jesus, to surrender myself completely to Him each and every day, walking in obedience to His word, it is to give up everything for Him. In John 15 Jesus speaks to us of abiding, and that this is our responsibility. If we abide in Him, v.5 tells us that we bear much fruit, and by this the Father is glorified. If we cease to abide in Him, v.6 says we are cast out and thrown into the fire.
Dear friends, we must be sure of our profession. Paul tells us to test ourselves to see if we are in the faith, to be sure that we have truly believed, and that we daily continue to believe, seeking to love the Lord with all our hearts. our surrender to God must be perfect, simply meaning complete, all of our heart given to God, encompassing all of our life, all of our ambitions and dreams, all of ourselves. We will not be able to hide behind a doctrine, or our own reasoning, we must bring our lives into complete conformity to God’s word, being enabled by His grace. Have I truly believed? Am I continuing to believe? Am I closer to the Lord today than I was yesterday, last week, or last year? If not, something is wrong. Let us do the first works again, repent and turn to Jesus with all your heart. I close with the words of the Savior to the church at Smyrna in Revelation 3:11- “Behold I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” Believe and hold fast dear friends, believe and go on believing.
In Christ’s love, Brother Benjamen
Related articles
- Experiencing God, Benjamen Leahey (magnifyhisword.wordpress.com)
- The Life of Faith: Living by Faith, Benjamen Leahey (magnifyhisword.wordpress.com)
He Has Magnified His Word 
One thought on “Whoever Believes, Benjamen Leahey”