BELIEVE

The Gospel of John has eighty-five verses which contain some form of the word "believe." That is exactly two and a half times the word "believe" appears in the three Synoptic Gospels combined (34 - Matt. 8x; Mk. 15x; Lk. 11x). In fact, "believe" appears more times in Acts (41x). Since the Synoptic Gospels are believed to have been written during the time period covered by the Book of Acts, one has to wonder why the first three Gospel writers did not place more emphasis on believing.

"Believe" is from the Greek πίστις (pistis), meaning "a conviction that something is true." The word is also translated "faith." While "believe" appears to always be in the present tense, "faith" can be used to describe one's belief concerning the past, present, or future.

Believing, in and of itself, does not save someone from their sins. We believe in gravity, but that has no bearing upon our spiritual condition. One must believe in the Person who paid for our sins. John wrote, "I (Jesus) said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins" (Jn. 8:24). When Jesus said, "that I am He," He was referring to their Messiah, the One for whom they said they longed. In the context of John 8:24, He told them He was the Son of God, sent to them by God, that God was His Father, and that He was "I Am" (v. 36, 42, 54, 58; Ex. 3:14).

In the midst of His conversation with the Pharisees, we are told that "...many believed on Him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (v. 30-32). Later in John's Gospel, we read that the "Truth" to which He referred, was Jesus Himself (Jn. 14:6).

Often Christians wonder if they are really born again, if they are really saved. Somehow, Christians have bought into the world's view that a genuine believer does not sin, and when we do sin, Satan loves to cause doubt, which is always based in fear. It is clear from God's Word that we do continue to sin; that is why the Church, pictured in the Jewish Feast of Pentecost, involves two loaves of leavened bread. Leaven always represents sin, and the two loaves represent the Church made up of converted Jews and Gentiles who still sin (Lev. 23:17; Rom. 7:14-25; 1 Jn. 1:8-10; 3:2). Yes we still sin, but the real question one needs to ask himself, "Do I believe in Jesus Christ?" If the answer is yes, then 1 John 5:13 should give you much peace:

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God;
that ye may know that ye have eternal life...."