It was mentioned in last week’s article that a person belongs to God when he/she repents and believes.  As we have investigated the meaning of “repent,” we will now turn our attention to understanding what “believe” means.

“Believe” means at least four things... 

1. Taking Jesus at His WORD: Mark reported that Jesus care-fronted Jairus’ overwhelming grief and fear at the news of his daughter’s death by saying to him… “Don’t be afraid, only believe.” Jairus, the leader of a synagogue, had a choice to either believe his feelings that sought to devastate him or believe in Jesus that guaranteed a wonderous outcome. Choosing to believe Jesus led Jairus to witness the power of God’s word. This incident underscores the importance of responding to God by faith in His leading of our lives as opposed to following feelings.  While feelings are forever changing and unreliable, God’s word never changes and is completely reliable! (Mk. 5:21-23, 35-43). 

Imagine a man named faith walking along the top of a very high, straight, and narrow wall. Behind him is a man named feelings, and ahead of him is a man named facts. Now, this man has a choice to make… either look ahead at facts before stepping forward, or look at feelings and step forward. We know that keeping a careful watch ahead at facts is the responsible thing to do… guaranteeing that his walk will be straight, safe, and secure. The other option guarantees certain down-fall. 

Likewise, the Christian walk is one of following the reliable, unchanging directions, instructions, regulations, and commands of God’ (Ps. 119:105). In the Christian life, feelings must never, never… never be followed. We are instructed to follow Jesus, and Him alone. Yes, feelings are important–the “right” feelings, however, automatically follow us as we follow God by faith.

2. Reaching out to JESUS: Mark reported an incident in chapter 5, verses 25-34 concerning the healing of an unknown woman who had suffered from severe bleeding for twelve years, until she encountered Jesus. From this incident, we learn three important things about the Christian faith (belief)…

Quantity – The woman’s faith was very little… a soft, secret touch of Jesus’ garment was all that was needed to heal her of her affliction. Jesus said to those present, “If you have faith like a mustard seed, you can move mountains.” The vital thing about faith is not the quantity, but the direction. 
Direction – The woman’s faith was directed towards Jesus alone. Many people think that faith can be found in nature, or human goodness. But for the Christian, faith means trusting in Jesus Christ… no one and nothing else! 
Openness – Jesus did not allow the woman’s act of faith to remain hidden in the crowd. He called her to express her faith publicly. If we are to follow Jesus, we must do so openly, not secretly. We must not be ashamed of Jesus otherwise when He returns, He will be ashamed of us.   

3. Having a child-like TRUST: Mark reported an incident where Jesus corrected His disciples from their wrong view of matters relating to the Kingdom of God. They thought that such matters could only be understood by mature thinking adults. By commanding His disciples to “let the children” come to Him, Jesus asserted that children have the ability to understand and respond to His invitation to enter His Kingdom. Believing in Jesus requires the level of trust of an innocent child, not a “show me before I believe” enquirer (Mk. 10:13-16).  

4. Receiving Jesus as your KING: Christian faith demands action! Without action there is no faith! Jesus invites mankind to believe in Him, and from there commence a meaningful walk with Him. Jesus is waiting for serious-minded seekers to invite His Spirit into their lives. Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it” (Mk. 10:15). 

Well, that completes our investigation of Mark’s reporting on the Good News about Jesus. We have examined six essential elements: 1. Introducing Jesus, 2. His Crucifixion, 3. His Resurrection, 4. Grace versus Good Works, 5. Repent, and 6. Believe. 

The Holy Spirit eagerly indwells the life of every person who embraces the Good News about Jesus Christ. His indwelling saves them immediately and transforms them gradually into the very likeness of Christ (Rom. 12:2; 8:29). 

However, before this can happen, believers who are compassionate, committed, and skilled enough must say to God, “Here am I, use me to report the Good News about Jesus” (Isa. 6:8).  To the church at Philippi, Paul wrote, “…you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now” (1:5). 

Friends, I hope our six-weeks of examining the Good News of Jesus Christ has strengthened your understanding and has given you confidence to avail yourself to the Holy Spirit to engage you with someone He has prepared to hear from you the Good News of Christ that saves and changes lives.  

Bill
(dancing-on-water.com is stocked with free downloadable discipleship aids)