WHAT IT MEANS TO BELIEVE? |
He who believes in Me has everlasting life. (John 6:47)
A missionary in Africa experienced great difficulty in trying to translate the Gospel of John into the local dialect. He faced the problem of finding a word for believe. He continued to do his best, but he always had to leave a blank space when he came to that particular word.
Then one day a runner came panting into the camp, having traveled a great distance with a very important message. After blurting out his story, he fell completely exhausted into a nearby hammock. He muttered a brief phrase that seemed to express both his great weariness and his contentment at finding such a delightful place of relaxation. The missionary, never having heard these words before, asked a bystander what the runner had said. "Oh, he is saying, 'I'm at the end of myself, therefore I am resting all of my weight here!'" The missionary exclaimed, "Praise God! That's the very expression I need for the word believe!" And so he was able to complete his translation.
To believe correctly, one must first admit that they're a sinner and that they can't do anything to save themselves. Then turn from their sin and cast themselves wholly and unreservedly on Christ for salvation.
Have you believed on Jesus?
Yes, I know Him as my Savior,
For my sins are washed away;
And I'll never cease to praise Him
For this truth through endless day.
(Hallan)
Faith is simply taking God at His word.
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