"Repent ye and believe the gospel"

Hello To All:

The question regarding the condition of our believing, is frequently asked, in a variety of ways, in this forum, and in the continuing reality of our daily lives. It is an important question; and, in fact, you can rightly argue, that it is the ultimate question - the question of do we believe? - especially when it is directed to our standing with Jesus Christ. And, in the light of this question, it is good to remind ourselves, that we will not begin to become victorious disciples in Jesus Christ, unless we believe.

Thus, the time is at hand, for us to ask the next question: What does it mean to believe? As we seek to answer this question, it would be good to be reminded, that we are looking at believing, both in its entry-level context, at the time of our conversion; and in its on-going context of: victorious discipleship in Jesus Christ.

The title for this posting, comes from Mark 1:14-15, where we find written: (14) "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, (15) And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." This is the first sermon, recorded, that Jesus preached. It is simple, straight forward and to the heart of our condition and our need. In its essentials, Jesus is commanding us: to repent and to believe.

It is my most fervent hope, that the last statement, in the previous paragraph, did not just slide by, without getting your immediate attention; as well as some sort of significant reaction. Let, what the Spirit of God, compelled me to write, be repeated: "In its essentials, Jesus is commanding us: to repent and to believe."

If you are having trouble with this statement; please, just pause for a moment and consider the following: If I, or someone else, cries out to you and says: repent and believe the gospel - we can only compel you to repent and believe. We do not have the authority to command you to repent; nor, do we have the authority to command you to believe. But, because Jesus is the Son of God, and thus, Sovereign God in every way: He has the authority to command us to repent; and He has the authority to command us to believe.

Thus, when Jesus says: "repent ye and believe the gospel" - He is demanding that we obey. If we do not obey we will perish! Once again, we are confronted with the tension of the sovereignty of God and the free will of man. Jesus commands - we must choose to obey. In the deep mystery of who God is - we are given the option of saying yes or of saying no - of believing or of not obeying. Consider this, from John 3:36, where we find written (New American Standard Bible Translation): "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." We can either believe or we can not believe; and, in the context of John 3:36, the not believing one, is referenced as the one: "who does not obey the Son."

It should be clear, that there is a relationship between believing and obeying, that needs to be understood. It also needs to be made clear, that this believing/obeying cannot be accomplished in the natural realms and by our natural abilities. In answer to the often asked question: "Do we believe?" - the answer must be: Apart from Jesus Christ I cannot believe and I cannot obey! Consider this: (John 15:5) "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." - That is to say: apart from Jesus Christ, we can do nothing!

As we continue on our journey, towards victorious discipleship in Jesus Christ, we will take some time, perhaps some significant time, to examine this relationship between believing and obeying. It is also my most fervent prayer, that we will come to understand this relationship in a deep and abiding way; in a way that will cause us to be able to say, in response to the question: Do we believe? - Yes, because of Jesus Christ, I do believe!

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus