Beliefs That Matter

GOLDEN TEXT: “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.”—I John 5:1

OUR Golden Text is a beautiful statement of an essential truth, so fundamental to Christianity that to accept it wholeheartedly means that one has been begotten of the Holy Spirit. The Common Version translation reads, “born of God,” but the Greek word translated “born” is capable also of being translated “begotten,” and whether “born” or “begotten” is referred to has to be determined by the context.

In this instance the reference is to Christian believers who are still hi the flesh, hence “begotten” is the correct translation, because other passages of Scripture indicate that Spirit birth does not occur until the resurrection. To be begotten of God, by the Spirit of God, suggested the thought of a new life having commenced. Then there must follow the nourishment and growth of that new life; and ultimately Spirit birth in the “first resurrection.”—Rev. 20:6

It is obvious, however, that a belief in Jesus as the Christ, which results in one being begotten of God, is more than a mere mental assent to this fundamental truth. It is, rather, an unqualified belief, a belief that is so wholehearted that it leads to the unreserved devotion of one’s whole being to the task of knowing and doing God’s will as expressed through Christ.

Furthermore, to believe that Jesus is the Christ means much more than to believe that he existed and that he was called Christ. This test of Christian fellowship presupposes, that one has a knowledge of the position the “Christ,” or Messiah occupies in the divine plan. Those acquainted with the Law and the prophets would know this. They would know that the “Christ” was the One promised of God to establish a kingdom through which all the families of the earth were to be blessed. To believe, that Jesus was this One means to believe that he was the One whom God had promised to send to fulfill his many promises to Israel and to the whole world. It means, also the acceptance of all the divinely provided arrangements centered in this foretold Redeemer and King.

JOHN 20:30, 31—The point of this scripture is that Jesus gave “signs” to prove to his disciples that he was the Christ of promise. The “sign” which he had just given them was that of appearing in a body of flesh similar to the one in which he was crucified. For the benefit of “doubting Thomas,” Jesus even produced nail prints in his hands, and a spear wound in his side. This was because Thomas had asserted that he would not believe that Jesus was raised from the dead unless he could see such signs, and Jesus accommodated him. Jesus was not raised from the dead as a human being, and while he had appeared to his disciples in visible form; they had not recognized him before by his appearance. And this was a “sign,” that is, they had not seen Jesus as he IS, and John knew this. See I John 3:1-3.

ACTS 16:11-15—A very meaningful part of this account of the conversion of Lydia is the statement, “Whose heart the Lord opened.” It is the privilege of God’s servants to plant the seeds of truth; but unless God opens the heart to receive them, there is no increase. From this standpoint the full acceptance of the truth leading to an unreserved consecration of one’s self to the Lord represents a miracle. It is this thought which was emphasized by Jesus when he said, “No man can come to me, except the Father which sent me draw him.”—John 6:44

I TIMOTHY 4:16—“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine,” is Paul’s advice to Timothy—the thought being to keep one’s self in harmony with the doctrine. “For in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee,” the apostle continues. Here is a definite statement showing that salvation is not obtainable simply by holy living, important though that be. Continuing in the doctrines of the divine plan as they center in Christ is fundamental to salvation—not the doctrines of nominal churchianity, but the doctrines of Christ: the doctrine that he came in the flesh, that he was “quickened” or made alive “by the Spirit,” and that he is the great King of promise.—I Pet. 3:18

I JOHN 5:1-5—In addition to belief that Jesus is the Christ, John here emphasizes the importance of love for God and for the people of God. True love for God, even as full belief, in him, implies entire devotion to him and to his service. And if we are completely devoted to God we will love his people also, and will be glad to lay down our lives for them. As Jesus laid down his life for us while we were yet sinners, so we will be glad to lay down our lives spreading the truth if perchance we, might thereby reach some whose hearts the Lord will open that they might believe and become our brethren.—I John 3:16; Romans 5:8

QUESTIONS:

What does it mean to believe fully that Jesus is the Christ?

What was one of the signs by which the resurrected Jesus convinced the disciples that he was the Christ?

What enabled Lydia to believe that Jesus was the Christ?

Is living a holy life all that is essential to salvation?

What is sure to be one of the evidences of a true belief in Jesus?

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