Not What, But Who and How?

September 25, 2023

Jesus said to her, “I am [Myself] the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on) Me, although he may die, yet he shall live; And whoever continues to live and believes in (has faith in, cleaves to, and relies on) Me shall never [actually] die at all.” John 11:25-26 AMPC

WHAT you believe and in WHOM you believe are significantly different. One is infinitely worth your purpose and focus. The other is not. Jesus was crystal clear that our trust could not be placed in our own behavior, performing the rituals and routines that make us feel better and connected, keeping the laws as nearly perfectly as we can, or even believing in the Scriptures themselves. Jesus said, “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life! But the Scriptures point to me!” (John 5:39 NLT). When we get preoccupied with WHAT we believe instead of IN WHOM we believe, we become anxious, critical, judgmental—the fruit of the Spirit disappears. We lose the freshness and joy of the mercy and grace we have received and keep receiving continually. The daily, living conversation with Christ who loves us so much He gave His life for us is exchanged for a life of performance, guilt, comparison, and evaluation. It’s a serious disappointment to us and disillusioning to the world. I can always be wrong about WHAT I believe, but when my WHO is Jesus, I have security and stability where it matters.

HOW one believes is also vital: Do you believe passively and disengaged from life, or actively and engaged in life? Does your belief and trust actively direct and transform every aspect of your life?

That is the saving faith Jesus defines in John 11. He was meeting with Mary and Martha after their brother Lazarus died. Lazarus had been dead for several days, and they had originally believed Jesus could heal him. They believed in Jesus to a certain extent. They believed Jesus could have saved him from death—they believed in results. But now Martha expressed their sore disappointment in Jesus. They didn’t trust Him enough to believe that what He did was always best. So now they were faltering.

Jesus used “believe” in an ongoing, consistent, life-altering way. He speaks with unmistakable clarity that this belief and trust is not just head consent, trusting when our emotions and events line up together. We “adhere, cling to, rely on” Jesus in everything. That is truly saving trust, faith that gives me abundant life now and in heaven too.

• Jesus said even the demons “believe” in Him. But it does them no good—it is not life-transforming trust that places the weight of life on Him. Lord, help me honestly trust You in transforming faith!