Believe
In watching Polar Express, reading Dallas Willard's Divine Conspiracy, and reading Luke 5, one theme stands out among them all BELIEVE. However, believe not in the way we usually use it as conservative evangelical. We usually mean, believe that God exists, and that he can save you from your sins.
What does belief look like in Luke 5?
1) The disciples casting out there nets because Jesus told them to, even though they hadn't caught anything all night.
2) A lepor saying, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."
3) Men carring a paralytic to Jesus so he could heal them, "Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgive."
Only one thing, none of these people were seeking forgiveness for sins, they were just seeking Jesus, and believing Jesus. Forgiveness of sins was just something Jesus gave to those with faith.
One more thing (this from Dallas Willard). Abraham, who is our model for faith "Abraham believed God and it was credited as righteousness," his faith was not that God could forgive His sins, but that he would have a son that was promised to him. He believed God would do what he said. Abraham's faith wasn't focused on sin, but on life.
Somewhere our current concept of faith shifted so that we only focus on our sins being forgiven so we can go to heaven. But all throughout the bible, belief is demonstrated in our everyday life, and relationship with God. Forgiveness comes to those with relationship with God.
What areas in my life do I need to believe in God for?
What does belief look like in Luke 5?
1) The disciples casting out there nets because Jesus told them to, even though they hadn't caught anything all night.
2) A lepor saying, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."
3) Men carring a paralytic to Jesus so he could heal them, "Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgive."
Only one thing, none of these people were seeking forgiveness for sins, they were just seeking Jesus, and believing Jesus. Forgiveness of sins was just something Jesus gave to those with faith.
One more thing (this from Dallas Willard). Abraham, who is our model for faith "Abraham believed God and it was credited as righteousness," his faith was not that God could forgive His sins, but that he would have a son that was promised to him. He believed God would do what he said. Abraham's faith wasn't focused on sin, but on life.
Somewhere our current concept of faith shifted so that we only focus on our sins being forgiven so we can go to heaven. But all throughout the bible, belief is demonstrated in our everyday life, and relationship with God. Forgiveness comes to those with relationship with God.
What areas in my life do I need to believe in God for?
posted by Jon Knapp at
8:20 AM
2 Comments:
My list to "what areas in my ife do I need to believe in God for?" would be so long I would max out the space alloted for Comments. I'll be thinking about this one for a while.
Hey-just have to share my excitement in that I'll be seeing Brennan Manning speak live at my church in a couple weeks. I've never seen him, but a friend told me he's amazing, so both of us are going. I imagine you know who he is...
That is awesome. I have seen him speak a couple time . . . between his speaking and his book The Ragamuffin Gospel, he has made a significant impact on my life.
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