Accept the Word: 1 John 5:9

We accept man's testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son.

I don't understand why some (or is it most?) people don't believe God. Note here, I am not talking about believing in God; I am talking about believing God. I suspect most people, like the Bible says (Romans 2:15), believe in God because most people look at the stars, at the sea, at the mountains, at each other, in marvel, and declare God must be the creator. Creation is too amazing!

Amazingly, some people don't believe at all. But horrifyingly, I suspect most people don't believe God.

For as long as I can remember I have believed in God. Today, I definitely believe him. I crave to learn more about God. I crave the light (John 12:46) that emanates from God. I crave the food (John 6:35) and water (John 4:13) that God provides. And through all the trials and tribulations of my life, I have learned to trust, to believe, that God will indeed take care of me.

So I have to ask, why on earth would people not believe God? Make no mistake, there are many people who claim they know God, who claim they are Christians, who claim they are followers, who don't believe God. They deny the Word, that is the Bible, is truth. Some of them take offense because the light exposes their deeds. Some of them say it was written thousands of years ago, for a different culture, so therefore it doesn't apply to them. Some of those people just doubt, thinking there is another way, another truth. God won't really condemn babies, they say. Hell doesn't really exist, they say. My Buddhist and Taoist friends are kind and good people. Nice guys won't finish last!

Sorry, but they are missing the boat. There is only one truth: Jesus is the way, the truth, the life (John 14:6), the light (John 8:12), the living water (John 4:10), the living bread (John 6:51), the gate (John 10:7), the good shepherd (John 10:11), the vine (John 15:5), the Christ (Mark 8:29). This is the truth: There are only two religions. Either you believe in the Religion of the Law (Hindu, Buddhist, Mormon, Islam ...) or you believe in the Religion of the Gospel (Christian). Either you believe you have to do something to go to heaven, or you believe God will do it all for you. Failing to believe God's Word is willful, sinful rebellion. It is unbelief. The Word is God (John 1:1).

That brings me back to today's passage, which in many ways parallels my last post, and not coincidentally, not only a terrific book I have been reading -- "not a fan." by Kyle Idleman -- but also my pastor's sermon from this morning on John 10:27.

Believing God's testimony is difficult work, that's why God does all the work for you. That's why God gave us the Gospel, to replace the Religion of the Law.

Believing God -- accepting God's testimony -- is no small thing. So read the Word, aka the Bible. Hear the Word, aka the Bible. There is no reason to doubt the Gospel (John 20:31) which starts in the beginning (Gen. 1:1) and ends at amen (Rev. 22:21).

Once you believe, you truly are blessed, because that means God has chosen you, called you and, better yet, come to you. Believer, you are redeemed. Believer, you are sanctified. And in belief, you will listen to his voice (John 10:27). Like Lazarus (John 11), we were dead, we were rotting in our graves of unbelief, and then he called us in a loud voice to rise from our grave and believe!

Hear the Word, and believe! (Romans 10:17)