What does it mean to "Believe in Jesus"?

[rcwitness]

Thanks, Kliska. Glad to hear you say this.

This thread came to mind out of my own sinfulness. I truly, with all of my heart, believe that Jesus is who he said he is, the Son of the living God, the Savior of the world, and I desire to follow him. If “believing” was all that was necessary for my salvation I would have it made. But I turn away from him in my sin and I feel a separation. When I am in sin I am not connected to the Vine. As I pondered this, it became self evident to me that simply “believing” is not enough. We must also do something about it by the way we live or our belief is in vain.

God bless.

Steve

Steve, I know you addressed Kliska, but I wanted to express an appreciation for your genuine confession here. Your faith is clinging to His grace and His healing. For the genuine Christian, it IS difficult, because the genuine Christian IS struggling against his old nature and the temptations of the devil. The evil one knows who is close to the Lord, and so he wants to cause us to stumble. And it hurts when we know that we have stumbled!

Let your Spirit of confession cast out what opposes the Lord! Peace in your Journey Steve!

 

[Gaelic_Bard]

There are many non-Catholic faith traditions that hold that one is saved simply by believing in Jesus. For those of you who believe this, what does it mean, exactly, to “believe in Jesus”?

Thanks to all.

Steve

First we have to ask what faith is in a biblical sense. The gospel of Jesus Christ is, ultimately, a promise. It is a promise from God that our sins, in full, have been borne on the cross by the Son of God and the debt for our transgressions has been satisfied. The basis of our justification - our reconciliation to God - is not faith. The sole grounds of our innocence is the merits of Christ alone (solus Christus). Faith is the gift whereby we believe that promise from God, place all of our trust in it for our hope, both for this life and the next. As a sinner, I know that I am unable to live the life that the law of God demands, and so I trust that God’s promise that Christ lived it for me is true.

God made a similar, though veiled, promise to Abraham. He promised Abraham that he would be a great nation. That through his offspring, all nations would blessed. This ultimately would be Christ, Abraham’s greater offspring. In an immediate sense, though, it meant Isaac. “Through Isaac your offspring will be named.” Abraham believed this promise from God. How do we know that Abraham believed this promise? Had faith in this promise? Because God ordered Abraham to sacrifice his son. How did Abraham demonstrate his faith in the promise? By obeying God’s command. Abraham knew, and had faith in, the fact that some how, some way, God would still be faithful to His unconditional covenant to make Isaac his heir. How do we know this? The writer to the Hebrews tells us: “By faith, Abraham offered up Isaac…He considered that God was even able to raise him back from the dead.” (Heb. 11:17, 19).

This is what James is zeroing in on. Abraham completed, showed, etc. his faith in God’s promises by being obedient, knowing that no matter what, God would be true to His word.

For us as Christians, we show our trust, our faith, by obeying the Lord who bought us. It is how the Spirit works in us to show that we are sons of Abraham…that no matter the cost to us, we hope for a city whose architect is God. Those who do not obey show that their trust is void of reality and is simply an empty profession.

 

[SteveVH]

First we have to ask what faith is in a biblical sense. The gospel of Jesus Christ is, ultimately, a promise. It is a promise from God that our sins, in full, have been borne on the cross by the Son of God and the debt for our transgressions has been satisfied. The basis of our justification - our reconciliation to God - is not faith. The sole grounds of our innocence is the merits of Christ alone (solus Christus). Faith is the gift whereby we believe that promise from God, place all of our trust in it for our hope, both for this life and the next. As a sinner, I know that I am unable to live the life that the law of God demands, and so I trust that God’s promise that Christ lived it for me is true.

So you are off the hook?

For us as Christians, we show our trust, our faith, by obeying the Lord who bought us. It is how the Spirit works in us to show that we are sons of Abraham…that no matter the cost to us, we hope for a city whose architect is God. Those who do not obey show that their trust is void of reality and is simply an empty profession.

But above you claimed that you are a sinner. A sinner is one who does not obey. Does this mean that your trust is “void of reality and is simply a profession”? How does that work?

 

[Kliska]

Thanks, Kliska. Glad to hear you say this.

This thread came to mind out of my own sinfulness. I truly, with all of my heart, believe that Jesus is who he said he is, the Son of the living God, the Savior of the world, and I desire to follow him. If “believing” was all that was necessary for my salvation I would have it made. But I turn away from him in my sin and I feel a separation. When I am in sin I am not connected to the Vine. As I pondered this, it became self evident to me that simply “believing” is not enough. We must also do something about it by the way we live or our belief is in vain.

God bless.

Steve

Paul paints us a picture of what our lives look like; Greco-Roman wrestling. 2 sides, 2 men, the old and the new striving and fighting and throwing each other to the mat. A non-believer doesn’t have the old man fighting the new, because there is no new man in there. We, on the other hand, have this clash, this straining and fighting.

Romans 14:4 …Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: 22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. 23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

 

[Gaelic_Bard]

So you are off the hook?

But above you claimed that you are a sinner. A sinner is one who does not obey. Does this mean that your trust is “void of reality and is simply a profession”? How does that work?

Everyone sins and stumbles, yes. That is why we are saved by Christ. As the apostle says, if our salvation were based on not stumbling, then Christ died in vain.

Not everyone lives that way continually, and intentionally, resisting repentance and turning to Christ in faith.

 

[SteveVH]

Everyone sins and stumbles, yes. That is why we are saved by Christ. As the apostle says, if our salvation were based on not stumbling, then Christ died in vain.

Not everyone lives that way continually, and intentionally, resisting repentance and turning to Christ in faith.

Then your statement that “Those who do not obey show that their trust is void of reality and is simply an empty profession” doesn’t really stand, does it? All of us fall into the category of being called “sinners”, even after we have accepted Christ into our lives. So the fact that one may sin really has little or no bearing on what one might believe. I believe, and yet I still sin, and so do you. Is our trust simply an empty profession?

 

[SteveVH]

Steve, I know you addressed Kliska, but I wanted to express an appreciation for your genuine confession here. Your faith is clinging to His grace and His healing. For the genuine Christian, it IS difficult, because the genuine Christian IS struggling against his old nature and the temptations of the devil. The evil one knows who is close to the Lord, and so he wants to cause us to stumble. And it hurts when we know that we have stumbled!

Let your Spirit of confession cast out what opposes the Lord! Peace in your Journey Steve!

Thanks for your kind words. That is why I am so thankful that God would give us so great a sacrament as Reconciliation. I would be sunk without it.

 

[aidanbradypop]

Btw…Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone! :bounce::irish1::kissme::irish2::irish3::shamrock2:

 

[Karen107]

Believing in Jesus runs much deeper than just saying “I know who He is.” As GI Joes always stated, “knowing is half the battle.” Once you believe Jesus to be Lord and Savior, one must surrender their life to God as a living sacrifice. That alone is a daily struggle sometimes but one that I welcome. I have surrendered my will to God so that I shall know His will for my life.

What does it mean to be saved? By the grace of God, Jesus died and was resurrected for my sins so that I may spend eternity with Him. I could never merit His sacrifice, yet by the Grace of God through faith in Christ I am able to have that gift of salvation. All I have to do is to believe and accept that free gift. Now it doesn’t stop there. Now I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, I am commanded to fulfill certain decrees from Jesus as well. Having faith is the beginning of a personal relationship. One that I must continue to grow with faith and love.

Interesting,curious now what do you mean by a personal relationship with Christ?

 

[aidanbradypop]

Interesting,curious now what do you mean by a personal relationship with Christ?

Well I am sure my experience is different from the next person but I would love tell you a bit about mine.

This is not just a Protestant concept like some believe. I have heard some Catholics speak about it as well. My personal relationship with Jesus started when I trusted in Him as Lord and Savior. Like any relationship, we must work at it. Jesus of course does not. He loves me beyond eternity. All the barriers in the relationship come from my sinfulness. Growing in my knowledge and faithfulness helps build that bond. He said he would never leave us or forsake us. I talk with Him in prayer quite often. Like any relationship, I get out of it what I put into it. Make sense?

 

[Karen107]

Well as long as it is St. Paddy’s day I thought I’d leave some words about Christ said by St. Patrick… Who taught about the trinity with the Shamrock. To me, to know Christ is inseparable from understanding the Holy Trinity… :shamrock2:

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ’s birth with His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In the predictions of prophets,
In the preaching of apostles,
In the faith of confessors,
In the innocence of holy virgins,
In the deeds of righteous men.

I arise today, through
The strength of heaven,
The light of the sun,
The radiance of the moon,
The splendor of fire,
The speed of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of the sea,
The stability of the earth,
The firmness of rock.

I arise today, through
God’s strength to pilot me,
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and near.

I summon today
All these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel and merciless power
that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul;
Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me an abundance of reward.

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

[Note that people sometimes pray a shorter version of this prayer just with these 15 lines about Christ above. The conclusion follows below.]

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.

:shamrock2:

ourcatholicprayers.com/st-patricks-breastplate.html

Amen

 

[spedteacherita]

Well as long as it is St. Paddy’s day I thought I’d leave some words about Christ said by St. Patrick… Who taught about the trinity with the Shamrock. To me, to know Christ is inseparable from understanding the Holy Trinity… :shamrock2:

Thank you, Karen!
Teresa Tomeo shared this on her show this morning and I missed it. I loved hearing it. It’s very special!

God bless!!!

Rita

 

[Karen107]

Well I am sure my experience is different from the next person but I would love tell you a bit about mine.

This is not just a Protestant concept like some believe. I have heard some Catholics speak about it as well. My personal relationship with Jesus started when I trusted in Him as Lord and Savior. Like any relationship, we must work at it. Jesus of course does not. He loves me beyond eternity. All the barriers in the relationship come from my sinfulness. Growing in my knowledge and faithfulness helps build that bond. He said he would never leave us or forsake us. I talk with Him in prayer quite often. Like any relationship, I get out of it what I put into it. Make sense?

Yes it does! Prayer is very important but it seemed like it wasn’t at the top of the list on this post… But ironically it is your sinfulness that makes us repent which makes us turn to God and grow in faith…This is something that we learn way back in the OT, Where sin is grace increases…!

Romans 5:20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,

It’s funny, but my relationship started with God the Father… Who watched over me and Jesus was with the Angels and the Saints in heaven… A childs version of God you might say, but then after understanding who Jesus is I still believe in that childs version, though now I see Jesus as my ‘brother and friend’. appropriate as it is Jesus says to have faith like a Child we will never enter the Kingdom of heaven… I suppose than I was Saved, as you might put it when I was baptized as an infant…

Yes, but what about the Holy Trinity and the Body of Christ?

 

[Karen107]

Thank you, Karen!
Teresa Tomeo shared this on her show this morning and I missed it. I loved hearing it. It’s very special!

God bless!!!

Rita

It sure is, It summed up a lot of what I experience with Jesus more eloquently than I would have worded it…

 

[Servant19]

Everyone sins and stumbles, yes. That is why we are saved by Christ. As the apostle says, if our salvation were based on not stumbling, then Christ died in vain.

What is the incentive to NOT sin therefore?

.

 

[aidanbradypop]

Yes it does! Prayer is very important but it seemed like it wasn’t at the top of the list on this post… But ironically it is your sinfulness that makes us repent which makes us turn to God and grow in faith…This is something that we learn way back in the OT, Where sin is grace increases…!

Romans 5:20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,

It’s funny, but my relationship started with God the Father… Who watched over me and Jesus was with the Angels and the Saints in heaven… A childs version of God you might say, but then after understanding who Jesus is I still believe in that childs version, though now I see Jesus as my ‘brother and friend’. appropriate as it is Jesus says to have faith like a Child we will never enter the Kingdom of heaven… I suppose than I was Saved, as you might put it when I was baptized as an infant…

I remember being so nervous when it came to prayer. I would get all tongue tied and wouldn’t know what to say. A Pastor told me too just have a conversation with God. That seemed doable so I gave it a try. Before I knew it, I was praying all the time.

Yes, but what about that Holy Trinity and the Body of Christ?

What do you mean about this?

 

[Karen107]

What do you mean about this?

Simply, how does The Holy Trinity and the Body of Christ fit into your personal relationship with Christ?

 

[aidanbradypop]

Simply, how does The Holy Trinity and the Body of Christ fit into your personal relationship with Christ?

That is what I thought but wanted to make sure

The Holy Spirit draws us closer to Jesus. Jesus links us to the Father. Having a personal relationship with one is having a relationship with them all since they are one.

For me, the start of the relationship began when I trusted Christ for my salvation. As I stated earlier, that relationship has matured over time. That relationship has also brought me closer to my fellow believe as well. Strong and faithful believers make for a stronger faith community. Growing in my relationship has made known to me the spiritual gifts that God has so graciously granted me. Using those gifts helps to strengthen my faith community as well.

 

[Kliska]

What is the incentive to NOT sin therefore?

.

Many many things including the love of God, the fact that each sin is put on Jesus on the cross and when we sin He bears our punishment (that fact each person should meditate on, and if it doesn’t break one’s heart, then they have issues), loss of rewards, gain of temporal consequences and chastisement, damaging the body of Christ, etc… etc…

 

[Gaelic_Bard]

Then your statement that “Those who do not obey show that their trust is void of reality and is simply an empty profession” doesn’t really stand, does it? All of us fall into the category of being called “sinners”, even after we have accepted Christ into our lives. So the fact that one may sin really has little or no bearing on what one might believe. I believe, and yet I still sin, and so do you. Is our trust simply an empty profession?

Of course it’s not empty. Are you saying there is fundamentally no difference between someone who lives in sin, unrepentant, and willful, despite a profession to be a Christian and someone who falls from time to time, yet always turns and repents, sorrowful?