English
Português
Español
Français
Answer
Simply put, believing in God means having confidence in Him. Belief in God involves recognizing His existence, but genuine belief goes beyond that. Theism is a good starting point, but it is not the ultimate destination of the journey.
Believing in God is essential for having religious faith. Scripture teaches that faith in the true God is fundamental to a relationship with Him: “Without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him” «But without faith, it is impossible to please Him: for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. », (Hebrews 11:6).
Fundamentally, believing in God necessitates a conviction of His actual existence. Many people worldwide believe in the supernatural realm, which includes God or “the gods.” Even excluding followers of pagan religions, there are still numerous individuals who believe in a singular, personal God. While this is a crucial initial step, mere belief in God’s existence is insufficient. As James 2:19 points out, even demons believe in God’s existence. Merely acknowledging God’s existence does not lead to godliness.
Belief in God should also entail dedication and a transformative lifestyle. We may believe factual information that does not impact how we live. For instance, many people believe in the importance of a healthy diet and exercise but do not alter their lives accordingly. Similarly, many who believe in God’s existence fail to act upon that belief, rendering their faith no different from that of demons. Faith without corresponding actions is a faith devoid of life «If any man among you seems to be reli
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. «If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.», (James 1:26).
However, merely believing in God and being motivated to act is insufficient. Some individuals have a faith in God that shapes their entire existence. They are compelled to significant acts of selflessness, spiritual dedication, or serving in the name of God. Across various faiths, there are devotees willing to go to any lengths for their deity or deities. Nevertheless, depending on the specific deity, the devotee may be required to engage in self-harm or even commit murder. Dedication, service, and allegiance to a higher authority do not automatically ensure moral integrity.
Authentic faith in God is grounded in His true nature. The biblical principle that “whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists” «And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.», (Hebrews 11:6) presupposes that faith is placed in the God of the Bible, not in any other deity. While many acknowledge the existence of God and desire to serve Him, the god they worship is often of their own creation. People frequently mold God in their own likeness, selecting and embracing only the attributes of the true God that they find appealing. They might view Him as love (which is a biblical concept—1 John 4:8), but then interpret love according to their own understanding. For some, God is seen as a benevolent grandfather who bestows blessings and desires their happiness. Followers of certain Christian sects may be devoted to God, but not to the God as He has revealed Himself in Scripture. Trusting in a self-fashioned deity results in a futile faith. To align our faith with reality, we must believe in God as He has disclosed Himself: the Triune God.One God who is perfect, omniscient, omnipotent, all-sufficient, immutable, true, faithful, gracious, loving, merciful, holy, and just.
To truly believe in God as He has revealed Himself, we must believe in Jesus Christ, who is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” «who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; », (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus is God in the flesh, and it is through Him that God has shown Himself to us in a way we can all understand: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2). As Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. . . . Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me” (John 14:9-11).
In modern culture, a generic belief in God and even devotion to God that leads to service of our fellow man is still socially acceptable. However, a more specific faith in Jesus Christ as the supreme and final revelation of God and the only way to God is not socially acceptable. A generic belief in God can unite Jews, Christians, and Muslims of good will. Jesus Christ, however, will divide them « Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. », (Matthew 10:34). The Bible says that one cannotHave faith in God as He truly is, unless that faith includes Jesus Christ «Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. », (John 14:6). If anyone does not honor Jesus Christ, He does not honor God the Father «that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. », (John 5:23).
