“Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do he shall do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to my Father.” Jn. 14:11,12
WHY IS IT SO HARD TO BELIEVE?
“Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me.” Jesus is talking to His disciples about BELIEVING. Why is it so hard to believe? He says, You believe in God, likewise…in the same manner, believe in Me. The above verses are strong, emphatic words from Jesus for us to believe…simply, believe. I want to give you three of the many reasons to believe: 1) Believe Him for His Worlds’ sake. 2) Believe Him for His Words sake 3) Believe Him for His Works sake. Believe Him!
Can you honestly look at the world and the miracles of creation and not be stirred in your belief? Can you read the miracles throughout Gods Word and remain in unbelief. He told His disciples believe me then for the works sake…but BELIEVE ME. Unbelief is an insult to all three; the creation, the Holy infallible Word of God and the miraculous works of Jesus. To live in doubt is to live in lack. We cannot receive what God has for us aside from belief. It is really not complicated; God is a FAITH GOD. He always has been. Abraham through faith became the “father of all them that believe”. His faith was counted for righteousness. (Rom. 4). Abraham “staggered not at the promises of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what He had promised He was able to perform.”
Unbelief robs you of Gods blessings and of God receiving glory. Our access to God is through faith. (Rom. 5:2). Jesus rebuked the disciples for having “no faith” and “little faith”. He praised two Gentiles for having “great faith”; the woman of Canaan in Mt. 15 and the Roman Centurion in Lk. 7.
ONLY BELIEVE
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you kill the prophets, and stone them which are sent unto you, how often would I have gathered your children together, even as a mother hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and you would not!”
I believe it was unbelief that caused Jesus to weep over the city. Our unbelief, doubtless grieves the heart of God and it limits the blessings of God. Unbelief binds the hands that bless. It grieves the giving compassionate heart of God. I believe it was unbelief that caused Jesus to weep as He went to Lazarus tomb. For instead of believing Jesus could and would raise Lazarus from the dead, Mary and Martha blamed Jesus for not being there. Jesus chided Thomas for not believing “… be not faithless but believing … Thomas, because you have seen me you believe, blessed are they that have not seen and yet believed.” Jn. 20:27-29. Does “believing” make you vulnerable? Is it the “what if” involved that causes you to hold back. Is it pride? I believe it is both.
HIS WORLD – HIS WORD – HIS WORKS
And … we are His workmanship … should not that be enough. Isn’t creation itself reason enough to believe? Look around, God so loved the WORLD. Look at His Holy WORD that is tried and true, isn’t that sufficient? Jesus said, If you can believe me for no other reason, “believe me for the WORKS sake.” It seems as if frustration might have accented His Words … BELIEVE ME! You believe in God believe also in me.
“He that believes on me the works that I do he shall he do also and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to my Father.” Because I go to my Father? What does that mean? It means that the same authority that God had given to Him, He was going to give to the church. Later he said, “As the Father has sent me, even so send I you.”
This is hard for some to believe. Hence, not many mighty works are seen. The word also says that Jesus could not do many mighty works in Nazareth because of their unbelief. Unbelief will prevent us from receiving all that God has for us, for without faith, it is impossible to please God.
DOES IT REQUIRE A LOT OF FAITH?
It involves taking a step. Making a move. It may require getting out of the boat. Peter walked on water with a “little faith”, but had he stayed in the boat with others who doubted he could not have even exercised “little faith”. Peter got out of the boat. Abraham started walking. What step do you need to take to express your faith in God and His Word?
Again, several years ago I had an unsuspecting medical need arise. I discovered I had 3 herniated discs in my neck. I saw 4 different doctors plus my son, who is a neurosurgeon. (One of his partners did the surgery). I believed God for my healing and received it thru the Hand of God and four very skilled doctors. May I say to you that believing God has nothing to do with not trusting Him to use people.
God uses people to bring about His miraculous works … His healing and delivering power can be seen throughout His Word … and people are involved.
We need a Moses, a David, an Elijah … some vessel that God can use to bless His people. Do you recall the father of the demonized boy saying to Jesus, … if you can do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes. And immediately the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help my unbelief. Mk. 9:22-24.
The issue remains the same … not can He do it but can you believe Him do it. Your faith is not any stronger if you believe He will do it apart from medicine and doctors. The father would have been happy if the disciples had cast out the demons. See God at work in your life and in His world and thank Him for it.
Why not make ourselves available to be a Moses or Elijah …I heard Elijah was a man just like me. I’m pretty sure I read that somewhere!
Just for Jesus,
Don
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