Believing In God's Word

BELIEVING IN GOD AND HIS WORD

As was noted in in the last posting, the Bible is the Word of the one and only true and living God. It tells us all we need to know about God. The Christian tends to assume that everybody knows this, even if they make no open profession of faith. The Bible has little meaning to those who do not believe in God as the Christian does. To them, it reads like fiction or fantastic fantasy.

In the New Testament context, a “believer” is one who believes in Jesus Christ as God’s Son; more particularly, one who has accepted Christ as Savior and Lord. (See Philippians 2:9-11 and Acts 4:10-12.) Of course, no one will believe in the Son unless he first believes in God the Father. But in the overall context of the whole Bible, an “unbeliever” is one who does not believe in God as the Creator of all.

God’s definite works of grace are for those who believe in God. We are greatly limited in what we can do for those who do not believe in a God who acts in the affairs of men. Knowing how an “unbeliever” thinks should help us to understand how to appeal to “potential believers”; how to persuade “potential believers” to become “active believers,” or believers indeed.

:“…he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6).

I. FALSE BELIEFS ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE

Romans 1:19, 20, 28

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind….

A. God Manifest In His Creation (Rom. 1:19, 20): While it is true that the fall of man in Adam resulted in a deterioration of men’s knowledge of God, it was because men chose to have it so. “The image and likeness of God” in mankind can never be totally obliterated, even when men try to ignore and deny it. This is stated as an amazing paradox—“invisible things…clearly seen.” Professedly brilliant scientific minds seem blind concerning the relating of the creation to the Creator. Only a fool will say, “…There is no God…” (Psalm 14:1; read the entire Psalms).

B. Beliefs of the Reprobate Mind (Rom. 1:28): “Reprobate” means rejected of God. The “ reprobate mind” is the judgmental result of man’s deliberate choice. Fallen men thus exercise their “free moral agency,” and God would not compel them to believe in Him. Of course, the consequences accompanied the choice!

Some “beliefs” of “unbelievers” include: (1) the atheist believes there is no God. (2) The agnostic thinks it is impossible to know about the existence of God. (3) The infidel does not believe in any religion.

II. GETTING THE UNBELIEVER’S ATTENTION

Hebrews 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.

Acts 17:22-27

22 …Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us.

Paul wrote to the Romans (10:17), “So then faith [belief] cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Belief in God comes by way of hearing His Word delivered with Holy Ghost unction, or reading what has thus been written: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). Of course, the hearer or reader may or may not accept the message. The Athenian left the door ajar by suggesting there might possibly be a God unknown to them.

Paul introduced them to Him. Some wanted to hear Paul again; some mocked; but some believed.

III. HOW THE SCRIPTURES WERE GIVEN

2 Timothy 3:16

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God…

2 Peter 1:21

21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

The Christian has already settled the issue of belief in God and the acceptance of His Word. He understands that all Scripture was “God breathed,” and was so written; that the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of truth (the Word) moved on holy men chosen by God to record it. If one does not embrace this fact, a doubt is cast upon the credibility of his professed experience of God’s saving grace.

Some people say Paul and Peter were referring to the Old Testament Scriptures; that the New Testament was not yet written. But it was being written, even if the writers (like Peter and Paul) were not aware of their being so used of God. Now, their writings carry the same authentication.

Once more, we must realize that the non-Christian either does not believe the Bible is God’s Word, or he has not accepted it as God’s message to him and to all men everywhere.

A True Believer accepts the Bible as the Word of God, and promises to “believe and practice its teachings rightly divided-(cut properly as in offering sacrifices upon the altar).” The principal explanation of “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15) is that biblical doctrines and practices are studied and interpreted by the church’s General Assembly in theocratic order as seen in Acts chapter 15. Of course, Paul was writing to an individual minister, giving him this instruction. In matters which are not monumental issues, a minister should search for all the references on a given subject, bring them together, and interpret them objectively. Personal opinion should not override uncertainties. “It seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us” and then the General Assembly has “the last word” in resolving interpretations.

The New Testament is the church’s “rule of faith and practice….” This does not mean the Old Testament is no longer accepted as the Word of God. It is rich in types, shadows, and analogies, as well as history and prophecy yet to be fulfilled. Christ fulfilled the law by being and doing all the Old Testament order typified. He did this in a literal manner by which it could not have been done until He came. He positively declared that He did not come to destroy (do away with) the law, but to fulfill it. (Read Matthew 5:17-20).

In a sense, the New Testament explains the Old. As Augustine said, The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.” Many today in the professing church world would like to bring down the authority of the Word by spouting inconsistencies and contradictions, which only mirror their unbelief in God’s perfect Word. We can trust The Bible and embrace all of its doctrine and reproof, correction, and instruction that we may be purified and thoroughly furnished with all of his goodness!

If you have never accepted or if you have fallen away from Jesus Christ here are three steps you need to take to be saved:

You must admit you are a sinner, confess your sin to Jesus, repent (turn from all you know is wrong), ask Jesus to come in your heart, and begin to follow Jesus by reading and obeying his word and go to a bible believing church that teaches his word. And tell someone what Christ Jesus Has Done For You (Rev 12:10)  

May God through Christ bless you!

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