Believing

We are constantly making choices of varying importance throughout our lives. Some are relatively insignificant, such as what to eat for dinner. However, some require more thought, discussion with loved ones, and prayer such as deciding to accept a new job.

But the most important decisions that anyone makes is regarding their core beliefs. The most critical of these is whether or not we choose to follow Jesus. After all, this decision determines where we will spend eternity! As Jesus stated, “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (Jn. 8:24). This core belief that Jesus is the Son of God is the only one we can hold that allows us to spend eternity in heaven.

The trials and temptations of life can challenge our beliefs and threaten to derail us from focusing on Christ. As Jesus stated, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Mt. 6:24). Riding the fence between the ways of the world and the ways of Christ doesn’t work. We need to heed these words of Jesus and make the right choices to keep away from the ways of the world.

Recall the account of Simon the Sorcerer in Acts 8 who initially heard the gospel message, believed and was baptized. He made the critical decision to follow Jesus and accept the message that Philip preached to him. However, his commitment to this belief was tested, “Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:18-19). Simon strayed from having God as his master and succumbed to temptation.

Peter’s response told Simon the danger of giving into the ways of the world. “But Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right before God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee” (Acts 8:20-21). Peter bluntly told Simon of the danger he was in and of the need to seek forgiveness. This account specifically shows us that it’s possible to stray from a belief in God and fall victim to Satan even after initially choosing to follow Christ. Our souls are in danger of spending eternity in torment when our beliefs switch from following God to following Satan.

Do we find ourselves making decisions that pull us away from God and align our core beliefs towards the ways of the world?

Do we minimize the danger we are in when we put the ways of the world before God?

Do we study God’s Word to ensure we understand the dangers of succumbing to temptation and to strengthen our belief in God?

Brethren, think about these questions and what beliefs you hold dearly in your life!