Belief

If you were like I was as a youngster it was easy to believe in a great deal of things that were not true.   I.E. the “tooth fairy”,” Easter bunny”, “Santa Clause”; all of which were stories told to us by loving parents or guardians.  I was sure that there were monsters under the bed and in the closet at night.  I’m not sure who planted those things in my head, but shame on them.  The point is, we were told something, we believed it, and that was that.

Later in life we began to ask why and we were told “because”; that was good enough for a while.  Now as an adult, I myself do not believe a whole lot that I am told especially if it comes out of the mouth of a politician.  The only thing that I can be sure of is the salvation of Christ.

Lately everywhere I turn there has been a message about belief.  My pastor has been preaching about belief.  There have been a number of television preachers on the subject of belief.  My bible study this morning turned toward the subject of belief.
Being in ministry, I have observed that children have a greater belief than adults.  When you tell a child that Jesus is the son of God and is the savior, they believe it.  Several months back we had our vacation bible school.  The fourth night was the message of salvation and the alter call.  Seventeen children came forward and gave their lives to Christ.  My wife and I started bringing our three year old nephew to church and just after a week he heard Jesus mentioned on the radio and shouted out “Jesus is Lord!”
As Christians we are taught that every word in the bible is true.  If that is the case, why do we say amen to some things but skirt around others?  Is it because we have grown older and the situations of this world have hardened us?   Mark 10:13-15 gives us clear instruction.

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.  But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. (Mark 10:13-15)

As we get closer to the day that we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, I ask you to think about your belief.  The greatest gift we can give is to share our testimony of the gift Christ gave to us.  So, I will leave you with this piece of scripture.
Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.  So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.  And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:14-20)