What Does Saving Belief In Christ Really Look Like?
Nicodemus had believed that Jesus was a teacher come from God; yet, did not understand when Jesus said, “You must be born again.” Nicodemus was a religious scholar; yet, his eyes were veiled to the truth that salvation was grace and act of faith. He believed in Jesus because of the miracles—a belief of the mind. Still, the eyes of his heart were veiled to the glorious truth that Jesus was God and the messiah had come. Nicodemus did not understand that the messiah would die to pay the penalty for man’s sin, even though Jesus had pointed out that Moses had lifted up the serpent in the wilderness. Nicodemus had studied the book of Isaiah. He should have known and seen the truth. Nicodemus and the Jewish nation were looking for the Messiah to come as a King and they would have possessions, power, and luxury in the Kingdom of God—here on earth.
[bctt tweet=”Did Nicodemus recognize his own need for a shepherd?”] He saw Jesus as a teacher; but, did not see Him as the Messiah who came to be the Savior of all who would come unto Him.
HOW COULD THE KING BE A SERVANT!!
Nicodemus was blinded to the truth—he remained in darkness. Isaiah 53 had prophesied of a humble servant. “it was our grief he bore, our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, for his own sins! 5 But he was wounded and bruised for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace; he was lashed—and we were healed! 6 We—every one of us—have strayed away like sheep! We, who left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet God laid on him the guilt and sins of every one of us!” (NIV).
BELIEVING YET NOT BELIEVING
Nicodemus believed that Jesus was a teacher from God; yet, did not see the truth that Jesus was the truth and the light—the Word of God made flesh. Every promise written in Old Testament scripture was standing in front of Nicodemus and he didn’t see the truth. He believed in a something; yet, he didn’t believe in the truth. With all his religious knowledge, Nicodemus did not understand salvation. He did not understand the grace of God nor the mysteries of God’s sending His only begotten son to be the sacrificial lamb to pay the penalty for rebellious, self-exalting hearts. Nicodemus most likely did not even see his desperate need of such a Savior; after all, he was a religious man and followed the law—didn’t he? Could he even see the darkness of his own heart?
WHAT DOES SAVING BELIEF IN CHRIST LOOK LIKE?
We know that Christ went on to say in John 3: “14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” If indeed, whomsoever believes is saved; then, what is believing?
So many come wanting to believe in the name of Christ because of the miracles he can perform for them. Many come wanting “prosperity” or gold. Some come wanting the promise of heaven; yet, in their hearts they desire to continue to live their lives “their way” until then. So, what does saving belief looks like? It is the knowledge that there is nothing in me which is worthy of salvation. I am a lost, dumb sheep covered in soot and branches who needs a shepherd. It is coming with my empty hands and embracing with all my heart the gift of salvation. It is seeing Christ as the only hope for my wretched heart, bowing before Him with earnest desire to follow Him where ever He leads me. It is the belief that even my desire of Him depends upon the spirit of God calling me, whispering my name. Then it is that gratitude that sees every sorrow, tragedy in my life as having been orchestrated by God’s hand of love so as to bring me closer to Him. It is seeing each moment of life in Christ as a treasure beyond measure. It is that knowledge that He is my Joy, my hope, and my greatest treasure. It is seeing Him as so glorious that even if He never gave me anything in return, I would still bow before Him in worship. It is knowing that though I fall down in this journey, the sustaining grace of God will not leave me there. He will pick me up. He will continue to transform my heart to one day look like His glorious son.
[bctt tweet=”Do you feel the spirit drawing you? If so, come and accept God’s gift of salvation. “]You don’t have to understand why the spirit is drawing you. You just have to know that you are a sinner in need of a Savior, God’s Only Begotten Son died to pay your penalty, and that God is offering you the only means of becoming spiritually alive which is through accepting Christ as your Savior.
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The song I chose for you today is: I Know in Whom I Believe
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