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Faith means not only that we intellectually believe in the truth of a proposition, but that we believe in it to such an extent that we are willing to place our trust in that truth and act on it. Faith involves commitment, which is based on our belief that certain things are true. But, as Christians, what is it exactly that we should believe?
In the junction. 8:24, Jesus said, “I told you that you would die in your sins, because unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.” We must believe that Jesus is who He claimed to be: the Son of God and Savior of the world. Saving faith is faith in Jesus Christ.
It is our faith in this great truth that breaks sin’s hold on us. “And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32). All the terrible consequences of sin are the result of our being deceived by Satan’s lies. If we are to avoid these consequences and once again enjoy the life that God wants, we must turn to God with true faith and place our trust in His Son. We must submit ourselves to the truth that He can save us from our sins.
When we do this, all kinds of good things become possible for us. Jesus Christ can satisfy our deepest needs and longings. He may be everything we really need. He can save us from death and give us life. Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that says to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water… (John 4:10, 13, 14).
Despite having such abundant life available in Jesus Christ, sadly we allow Him to have too little of it for us. He waits to bless us with the “living water” of true life, but we are often satisfied with merely immersing ourselves in discipleship. We are not satisfied with anything more than their minimal blessings. Of course we must desire more than what we have received so far.
But to receive what He has in store for us, of course, we must truly believe in Him. Faith is the key to real life in Christ. So this week, let’s work on our faith!
Monday: John 4:10-14
Main idea: Jesus Christ can satisfy our deepest needs and longings.
Questions for family development: What do you think the “living water” that Jesus spoke of is? What did Jesus mean when He said, “Whoever drinks the water that I will give him will never thirst again” (v.13)? How does this make Jesus superior to any other religious teacher?
Knowledge for today: Proverbs 12:11.
Tuesday: John 4:23,24
Main idea: Through Jesus Christ we can worship God in spirit and truth.
Questions for family development: According to Jesus, how will “true worshipers” worship God? What does it mean that “God is Spirit”? What are some ways we can falsely worship God? What should we do to avoid the problem of false worship?
Knowledge for today: Proverbs 12:12-14.
Wednesday: John 4:39-42
Main idea: We believe in Jesus Christ on the basis of reliable testimony.
Questions for family development: Why did the woman at the well believe in Jesus? According to verse 39, why did the villagers believe in him? Was it the right and responsible thing for them to do? After hearing Jesus in person, what did he say in verse 42?
Knowledge for today: Proverbs 12:15,16.
Thursday: John 4:25,26
Main idea: Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Questions for family development: What did Jesus mean in verse 26 when He said to the woman, “Is this who I am speaking to you”? Is it absolutely necessary that we believe everything that Jesus claimed about himself? Consider JN. 8:24,31,32.
Knowledge for today: Proverbs 12:17-22.
Friday: John 3:16,17
Main idea: By believing in Jesus Christ, we can have eternal life.
Questions for family development: Why did God give His Son for us? What does “eternal life” (NKJV) mean? According to Paul in Rome. 5:8, Why did God give the life of His Son for us? What is it that we need to “save”?
Knowledge for today: Proverbs 12:23.
Gary Henry – WordPoints.com AreYouaChristian.com
