“²⁰No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith and he gave glory to God, ²¹fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. ²²This is why his faith was ‘counted to him as righteousness.’” – Romans 4:20-22 (ESV)

Abraham was fully trusting in God. Every day he grew stronger in his faith as “he gave glory to God”. What a great approach to life with Christ. Giving glory every day and growing in faith as a result of that glory.

And look at the result of that growth, it led to being “fully convinced”. Not just a belief in the power of God, but ultimate and complete belief that He would provide for any and every need that came up.

“²³But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, ²⁴but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, ²⁵who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” – Romans 4:23-25 (ESV)

Abraham was not the only one that benefited from faith in God. For as “the father of many nations”, he was writing the story for me. Abraham was fully convinced and committed to my Lord and serves as an example of what it looks like to believe and be fully convinced of the glory of God in my life.

I am just a believer that struggles every day with my faith. When I read about Abraham and how he did not “waver” and grew “strong” in his faith through giving glory to God, I am encouraged to do the same and follow the leading example. I will be approaching life “fully convinced” of the glory of God.

When you think about your belief, are you growing strong every day? Are you giving glory to God always? Are you “fully convinced” in the glory of our God?

Abraham is the father of nations. He was counted as righteous through his faith and not through any other actions.

“⁹Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. ¹⁰How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. ¹¹He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well.” – Romans 4:9-11 (ESV)

Abraham believed and then was circumcised, not the other way around. He believed in God and was counted as a child of God even before the law was enacted that one had to be circumcised. In fact the covenant and act of circumcision was enacted by God with Abraham.

I look for ways that I can demonstrate my faith in the world, and as I read these verses and study more closely about belief, I am reminded that I only need faith and to act accordingly in my life. When I am acting according to my faith, that is the demonstration of my faith. I do not have to do anything “great”, I only need to do the will of God as He has instructed me.

My righteousness is not defined by the works that I do, but by my faith in God my Father. I am only to have the faith and believe, for works are not was get me there, by are the product of my faith and belief.

What order are you looking at for belief and works? Are you looking for the outward actions to show others your faith and belief, or are you simply looking to do the work of the Lord? Are you willing to just have faith in order to believe?

“²¹But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophet bear witness to it—²²the righteousness of God through Faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is not distinction: ²³for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” – Romans 3:21-23 (ESV)

I am no different from you in the eyes of God. Whether Jew or Gentile, Baptist or Catholic, Polish or American, rich or poor. We all have the same opportunities.

God is our Lord and Savior. Not just the Jewish. I am a child of God just as you are a child of God. Salvation is for all of us.

When Jesus died on the cross, he died for all our sins. When it is said all our sins. Not all OUR sins, but ALL our sins. What a difference it makes when I put the emphasis on the different word in the phrase. ALL to me means everyone and every. Not just those that fit into my box, but ALL sins that have occurred or will occur. Not just for me, but for everyone.

Jesus died for us ALL to cover ALL sin in the world.

When you think about it, do you understand the word ALL here? What are you thoughts with regard to Jesus’ coverage of sin? Do you feel as though you fit into the ALL without distinction?

Imagine being wrongly imprisoned as you were accused of something that you were not. I imagine that if there was an opportunity to escape that imprisonment, that a good number of us would do so. Paul and Silas were imprisoned for being “Jews” and for spreading the word of God in the Roman empire which was considered against the law (even though they were not accused of any specific actions).

“²⁶and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s bonds were unfastened…²⁸But Paul cried with a loud voice, ‘Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.’” – Acts 16:26 & 28 (ESV)

They prison was shaken so much that everything was opened and in effect everyone was “freed” from their bonds and could (yes I said could) have escaped, whether rightfully or wrongfully accused. But they did not.

“²⁵About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,” – Acts 16:25 (ESV)

Everyone in the prison were worshiping to God and therefor they were not thinking of escaping, they seemed to be living more by the law of God as opposed to the law of man. They did not need to be “freed” to be free.

“²⁹And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. ³⁰Then he brought them out and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ ³¹And they said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’ ³²And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all where were in his house.” – Acts 16:29-32 (ESV)

The jailer recognizes that something is different about Paul and Silas. He knows that they, along with the rest of the prisoners, had every opportunity to escape and yet they did not take it. He knew that there must be something greater than man to keep them all imprisoned. He was so amazed and taken with what it could be, he asked and truly wanted to know. When he was told, he and his house believed.

I have been fortunate to be in a Christian home as a child and lead a Christian home as an adult. I believe that my household would be more like Paul and Silas and understand that justice will be there when it is supposed to be. I know that our purpose with Christ is more than we know and the seeds of grace that we plant all around will sprout roots when the time is right with the right individual meant to receive them. Every situation provides an opportunity to worship and witness to and for God.

When you are in a difficult situation, what is your attitude? Are you looking for your own freedom, or looking out for the spiritual well being of those around you? Are you using the difficult situations to offer opportunities for other to believe?

This morning I read in Acts about belief. I was brought to chapter 15 where the apostles and elders of the church were gathered. They were discussing the finer points of what it took to be saved.

“⁵But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, ‘It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.’” – Acts 15:5 (ESV)

The law of Moses was a “powerful” thing. In order to be considered for salvation, one was to uphold the law to the utmost. Even the smallest of deviations from the law created great turmoil for those that deviated. If you were not circumcised, then you could not be considered a believer, for that would be a deviation from the law of Moses.

“⁷And after there had bee much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, ‘Brothers, you know that in the early days, God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.’” – Acts 15:7 (ESV)

What a statement by Peter to remind those in attendance that just hearing the word of the Gospel was enough to believe and be saved.

“¹⁰Now, therefor, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? ¹¹But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” – Acts 15:10-11 (ESV)

And he continues to speak that the law of Moses does not apply any longer as a “requirement” to be saved. It is “the grace of the Lord Jesus” that gives us salvation and our acceptance of His grace.

“¹²And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.” – Acts 15:12 (ESV)

The disciples continued to speak of all the blessings that they were able to deliver to the Gentiles. There was no requirement for them to receive those blessings other than to hear, accept, and believe. Look at the first six words of the verse, “And all the assembly fell silent”. If that does not tell the story of the power of God’s Word, I don’t know what does.

Do you fall into the legalistic, law following crowd of what it takes to believe? Are you a believer by faith and the grace of God? What would it take for you to simply hear, accept, and believe?

I am sure that most of us have heard of “Doubting Thomas”. He was the disciple of Jesus that did not fully believe until he was able to touch the scars on Jesus’ body after the resurrection.

“²⁵So the other disciples told him, ‘We have see the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.’” – John 20:25 (ESV)

This is a bit difficult for me to believe that one of Jesus’ disciples would not believe until he was able to touch Jesus. I am taught and understand from my growing up in the Christian way of life, that I need only to have faith and believe, yet Thomas needed the physical to believe.

“²⁷Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put you finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.’ ²⁸Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” – John 20:27-28 (ESV)

Jesus made it possible for Thomas to believe. He appeared before the disciples to give Thomas the needed “proof” for him to believe. And Thomas exclaimed his belief at that moment.

“²⁹Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” – John 20:29 (ESV)

These are the words to me. Jesus understood that where Thomas had the opportunity to physically see and touch Jesus, other did not nor would they. Those were no less blessed with belief than Thomas.

NIV Commentary: “Jesus wasn’t hard on Thomas for his doubts. Despite his skepticism, Thomas was still loyal to the believers and to Jesus himself. Some people need to doubt before they believe. If doubt leads to questions, questions lead to answers, and the answers are accepted, then doubt has done good work…Let your doubt deepen your faith as you continue to search for the answer.”

I am a believer and have not had physical contact with Jesus. I do have many questions and those questions lead to answers which I then have the opportunity to accept. My belief is driven by my understanding of Christ.

When you think of Jesus, are you able to believe? What “proof” do you need for that belief? Are you able to ask the questions to get answers and accept to deepen your faith?

Chapter 17 of John is titled in my ESV Bible; “The High Priestly Prayer”. Jesus is praying to His Father, God.

“²⁰I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, ²¹that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” – John 17:20-21 (ESV)

Jesus is not just praying for Himself in this chapter. He is praying for the disciples that He is sending out to reach the lost. He makes sure to pray for their strength. He prays that they are able to reach those that they are called to reach, you and me.

I know that it seems hard to believe that Jesus was praying for us 2000 years into the future. How can He even know that I will be here? Because He is God and He knows all. He wants nothing but the best for His brothers and sisters. He wants to make sure that each of us has the same opportunities as those of the time when He walked this world.

If praying was good for Jesus, why would it not be good for me? Jesus prayed for Himself in the time that was coming of His death. He then prayed for those He was sending out. He then prayed for me that I might receive. I have the same opportunity to pray as He did and who am I to not take that same opportunity each and every day.

What would be if you took time to pray as Jesus prayed? I wonder, do you feel as though Jesus was praying for you? What would be when we act like Jesus was indeed praying for you and me?

“¹Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” – John 14:1 (ESV)

It is not uncommon to profess a belief in God. The safety of that belief in God is evident all throughout. Even the worst of criminals acknowledge God. Think about all of the movies about the mob, the common theme is the Italian Catholics. And the ISIS or Taliban Terrorists, all profess and yield to Allah.

Here is where things turn, ask about the belief in Jesus. There will be many responses to identify who Jesus is/was. And the conversation will suddenly turn a bit uncomfortable.

Jesus provides God as tangible. God is no longer a “being”, but a man. With Jesus, I am suddenly thrust into potentially meeting face to face with God and that is uncomfortable. If I profess God as a being, there is little chance that He will come and meet me. I can still pray to Him and believe that He will care for me, but that tends to be in the sense of the CEO caring for the customer care rep, there is little chance of a personal encounter. Jesus gives that chance of local encounter and we become uncomfortable at the thought of Him being there to see just what I have done and hold me personally accountable.

I am glad to have Jesus with whom to encounter daily. I am very much imperfect and NEED the accountability provided by God and the person of Jesus. I need to know that around any corner, Jesus is waiting to call me to task.

Knowing that Jesus is God and that He walked among us, is frightening and comforting. The frightening part is that He was/is here to hold me accountable, and the comforting part is that He was/is here to catch me when I fail. Jesus is God and it is our duty to believe in God and believe also in Jesus.

Are you a believer in Jesus as you believe in God? When you think about Jesus, what feelings are stirred up? Are you able to believe in God and also believe in Jesus?

“³⁵So Jesus said to them, ‘The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. ³⁶While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of the light.’ When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.” – John 12:35-36 (ESV)

Jesus was plainly speaking to the crowd that it is up to them to simply believe in Him and they would have a clear path. Belief in Jesus gives light to the journey here in this world. Without Him, the darkness takes over and they would be wandering around in the dark without clear direction.

When I read here, I see that Jesus was giving these the continues chance to believe in Him. He states that He will only be with them for “a little while longer”, making reference to His crucifixion and death. He was again giving them a full opportunity to believe in Him to receive His guidance.

“³⁷Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him.” – John 12:37 (ESV)

Here in verse 37 we are made aware of the idea that even though they had every opportunity to not on believe in the word of Christ, but also in the many miracles He performed, they still chose to turn away. What a missed chance. They chose to marvel at the works, and I see it, they did not accept them, but wanted to marveled more without belief.

Now, I have the fortune of knowing the rest of the story that all was not lost with the death of Christ. In fact things got better. I, 2000 years later, had the opportunity to take God up on His offer of Jesus’ death for my life. I do not need to see any more “miracles” to believe and will take my belief to heaven when my time comes.

Are you taking the opportunity to have God light your path? Are you willing to just believe? What else are do you need to “see” so that you may believe, while there is still time?

“²³Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ ²⁴Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection the last day.’ ²⁵Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the live. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, ²⁶and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’ ²⁷She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.’” – John 11:23-27 (ESV)

Martha understood that her brother Lazarus had died, she also believed that he would rise again as he was a believer in Christ. She was certainly sad that Lazarus had passed and earlier in the scripture passage she even exclaims to Jesus that if He had been there sooner, before the passing, He could have saved Lazarus from death.

When reading the verses, I can see that as Jesus speaks of death, He speaks of spiritual death as opposed to the physical death we attribute. Again, Jesus demonstrates His spiritual perspective and explains that this world is only temporary. My future, should I choose, is eternal and that spiritual death will not come as I fully believe and live in and as Christ.

I am a believer and this passage reminds me of that belief. As I continue to believe, I must also grow in that belief. I will be doing the work of Christ and in doing so, I will strengthen my belief in order that I can grow more peaceful here in this world as I wait for my time to meet my Lord and Savior face to face.

How strong is your belief? Are you working here for Christ? Are you growing more peaceful here in this world as your belief grows stronger?