Believe

What do you believe? How did you come to believe it? Passed down through generations, written in books, taught in school, heard from your parents, or maybe learned in the lessons of life.

Belief powers action. We believe in our cause we fight for it. We believe in our sports teams we travel far and wide to see them, cheering on like crazy people. We believe in our country, we are ready to do battle to protect our freedom. We believe in ourselves, there is no telling how far we can go.

From a spiritual standpoint, what do you believe? And because you do what are you willing to do for it? I read something so simple yet profound in John 6 this morning: Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the work God requires?" Jesus answered "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

This question came from Jewish brethren who were used to having to follow a strict set of rules. The answer Jesus gave must have been too simple for them as later in that same passage some of his disciples turned away from him, which prompts another question from me.

Why do we complicate Christianity? Belief should be enough to propel action like in making disciples, being kind and compassionate, being someone people can count on, or sharing love above and beyond normal? But instead we are still trying to make rules that others must comply with. Truth is if we believe we will follow the moral code he gives us and like him, do the works of the father out of love not rule keeping.

We will not just be rabid fans, we will take ownership of the gift of redemption he has given us and open it up to share with others.  Later on in John 8 he added another caveat that extended the belief to action: If you remain in my word, you will be truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

We are now free to roam the planet talking about Jesus, just believe!