I Doubt You REALLY Believe in God

If 83% of people believe in God, then why do we have so much crime and immorality? Shouldn’t their belief impact their behavior and communities? – Clint Decker

83% of U.S. adults believe in God, according to a Pew Research article published this year. Despite numbers declining over the decades, it is still very high. During 30+ years of ministry in rural areas throughout the Great Plains, I have met many people who are a part of the 83%. Regulars at the local bar, businessmen, county jail inmates, greeters at the church, friendly neighbors across the street and politicians - they all believe in God. (Image by Freepik)

I have an honest question. If that many people believe in God, then why do we have so much crime and immorality? I think I have a point. Should not this belief make a difference in people’s lives, impacting their behavior and thereby their communities?

If I am right, then we are left to conclude one thing. There must be a misunderstanding about what it really means to believe in God.

The Bible is the original source for understanding the whole idea of belief in God. It did not originate from a pollster or rise from philosophical thought. A casual reading of the Bible reveals where it came from. The famous John 3:16 states this idea, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Additionally, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (Jn. 6:35) Then in another place, a man is told to, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:31)

When we look at what the Bible says on the subject of belief, five truths surface. 1) Believing in God is synonymous with a belief in Jesus. Since He is God’s Son, to refuse to belief in Jesus becomes a pointless belief, for Jesus said, “And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.” (Jn. 12:45) 2) Believing in God is the recognition of Jesus, and accepting by faith His deity, virgin birth, death and resurrection, though you may not understand it all. 3) Believing in God is to trust in Jesus, meaning you are willing to entrust your whole life into His care and come under His authority. 4) Believing in God is to follow Jesus, meaning you are willing to do what Jesus and His Word says, no matter the cost—even unto death. 5) Believing in God is union with Jesus, meaning Christ is in you and you are in Him.

Too often when someone says, “I believe in God”, they are talking about an intellectual belief, or more accurately, it could be called an “acknowledgement.” They acknowledge God’s existence, and some details about who He is. And the same could be said about Jesus. This type of strange belief is far away from the Bible’s correct understanding of it.

People like the 83% were directly addressed in the Bible, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder.” (James 2:19) The Devil himself and the demons of hell acknowledge the existence of God, but they go no further. They refuse to accept the supreme authority of Christ and come under His Lordship. They refuse to turn from their sin and place their full trust in Jesus. They refuse to reorder their life according to the ways of God.

The belief most have is a mere acknowledgement which does not lead to a changed life and a moral transformation, where the old has gone, the new has come because of the Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Today, move past a mere acknowledgement of Jesus and embrace a full-on, radical belief in Christ. Go beyond the superficial words of religion, and by faith, yield yourself totally to Him.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray you will bring people to move past the acknowledgements of Christ, and to a true biblical belief in you. May they humble themselves and come under your Lordship and follow you as their supreme authority in all areas of their life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Admit it. None Of Us Are Good Enough

Millions are convinced the good things they have done for the church, others, or their efforts at trying to do right, should mean something to God. – Clint Decker

Jesus once told a story about two men who went to pray. One was a high standing religious man, while the other was a despised tax collector that had extorted money from many. The religious man prayed, “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.” (Luke 18:11-12, Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay)

However, the other man prayed much differently. “The tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’” (Lk. 18:13)

Jesus was widely known for telling stories. They were not told just to entertain, illustrate nor to communicate some generic spiritual truth. Instead, they often had a hidden or very direct meaning. His stories (parables) would point out evil in the hearts of some in His audience which revealed God’s judgement upon them.

His story began with this statement of explanation “[Jesus]…told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt.” (Lk. 18:9) Then the story concluded with Jesus saying, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Lk.18:14)

The differences between the two men are clear. The religious man saw himself as a good person because of the good things he did. He was not like everyone else. He was better. Meanwhile, the tax collector saw himself as nothing. There was anguish in his soul, while shamefully admitting all the wrongs he had done. He believed he was so undeserving of God’s forgiveness that he felt he could do nothing but plead for His mercy.

Today, there are millions just like this religious man. Multitudes feel good about themselves because of their efforts at doing good things. They counter the wrongs they have done with imaginary moral insurance to soothe their conscience. They are convinced the good things they have done for the church or others, or upright moral behaviors they have tried to live by, should be pleasing and acceptable before God.

And like the religious man, they view themselves as better than the other guy, or even better than they once were. They are not like the drug dealers, like the ones convicted for indecent liberties with a child or like the slimy and corrupt politicians. They see “those people” as the ones who need help, not themselves.

These attitudes are dangerous! They produce an annoying and obnoxious sense of pride that rouses the anger of God. He hates it! This is why the spirit of the tax collector pleased God. Because he had a humble heart. He recognized the true condition of his soul, “None is righteous, no, not one…no one does good, not even one.” (Romans 3:11,12) The tax collector could have pointed to some good things he did in his life, but he chose not to. His sin. His failure before God was so overwhelming, he could not. One million good things could never wash away the dirtiness of his eternal soul. He believed that his only option was to plead for the mercy of God and hope He would hear and respond.

Praise God! This story from Jesus, points to His glorious cross. For the prideful, God will give them what they deserve, but for the humble of heart, He will graciously grant them what they do not deserve. His unmerited kindness will grant complete and total forgiveness for all their wrongs.

Walk in the humble spirit of the tax collector, call out for God’s mercy upon your soul. Then because of Jesus death and resurrection, freedom will be yours.

A prayer for you – Lord God, examine our hearts. If we have an ounce of pride, point it out that we might turn from it. And let us have the spirit of the tax collector. Bring us to humble ourselves before you and plead for your mercy upon our souls. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What Are You Searching For?

What burden are you carrying? If you want to find the peace you have been searching for, it is found in a person. Jesus. – Clint Decker

There are millions of people carrying heavy burdens across our world. They cannot sleep at night and wake up tired. They have regular appointments with their counselors. Their attempts at hobbies and exercise are strategies to find relief. What burden are you carrying? If you want to find the peace you have been searching for, it is found in a person – Jesus. (Image by Freepik)

Once He was invited to dinner at a religious leader’s home. Other leaders also came, and together they sat down at the table and began visiting. Jesus’ fame as a preacher had risen quickly, so word had spread where He was. A certain prostitute who was impacted by Jesus and His ministry learned of His whereabouts. She made her way into the house and found herself standing before Jesus and the other guests. She stood without saying a word, then began weeping. So much, that her tears fell on Jesus’ feet. Seeing that, she bent down and began wiping the tears off with her hair.

During the whole process, the religious leaders were incensed at the woman and Jesus. Noticing this, Jesus spoke to the dinner host and addressed his attitude toward her, then eventually turned back to the woman and said, “Your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 7:48) That incensed the leaders even more. Then He spoke one final word before she humbly slipped out, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” (Luke 7:50)

This prostitute was looking for something, just like all those preachers in that room, along with all the people in her city, and those like you and me. Her life’s search took her into prostitution, but for others it goes in different directions.

When the prostitute heard of Jesus, something awakened in her that no doubt said, “This is it!” And she overcame the barriers before her to get to Jesus and when she got there, He did not disappoint her.

She found forgiveness for all the wrong she had done! The guilt and shame she had been trying to outrun was finally washed away. How did that happen? Faith. Jesus said, “Your faith has saved you.”

It was her faith that provided forgiveness. It is interesting to note, what Jesus did not say. He did not say anything about religion, morality, goodness or education. Just faith. He did not refer to anything about personal willpower, having a positive attitude, perseverance or working hard. Just faith. And what is faith? It was her belief, trust and confidence in Jesus.

We are all naturally wired to be independent and achieve. We want to earn what we have. Our culture is set up that way, from our parents and high school coaches to our professors and bosses. “Work hard and succeed,” is what we are told. Faith in Jesus is opposite. This woman simply had faith, and her life was instantly transformed. She believed Jesus was the Son of God. She believed she had done wrong and needed forgiveness. She trusted that Jesus had the power to forgive. She was confident Jesus was sufficient for all she needed.

Then Jesus said, “go in peace.” No doubt the immoral life she had led weighed on her. She not only needed forgiveness, but peace. Often the foolish things we do cause great amounts of stress and anxiousness. In one moment, her simple faith brought forgiveness and peace. Lay your burden down at the feet of Jesus. Have faith in Him.

A prayer for you - Lord God, I pray you will help people to end their search. Bring them to lay down their burden at the cross, and find forgiveness and peace in Christ through simple faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.