I can't even begin to describe just how blessed I am to have been raised in the church I was in, before moving to the UK. One of the reasons was the wisdom that flowed from the pulpit.
The foundation that was laid in my heart and built upon over the years is what has helped sustain my faith through the many ups and downs life often throws our way. One of these pillars was the teaching in 2 Corinthians 4:13
'And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak..' NKJV
This subject of what we believe and what we speak has been on my heart for a long time now and I've started writing about it so often, but I never could quite get the correct words ‘down on paper’ so to speak. After a few recent conversations though, I think it may just be God's timing that I share this now.
I’m breaking this blog up into multiple parts - only because there is so much to share, so keep watching this space for the rest.
WHAT DOES THIS SCRIPTURE IN 2 CORINTHIANS 4:13 MEAN?
There are two aspects to it:
- One - What we believe
- Two - What we speak
WHAT DO WE BELIEVE?
I believe in the Trinity, or Triune being of God - Three in One. God, the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit. I like to explain it as this: There is ONE GOD, who has three different functions.
Use yourself as an example: You can be a mother, a daughter and a sister. You’re still one person - but just in the three descriptions above, you have three distinct and different functions.
Genesis clearly tells us that we were made in the image of God, and cross-referenced with
1 Thessalonians 5:23 ( May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. NIV)
We are SPIRIT beings first because God is Spirit and we are made in His image and His likeness.
We have a SOUL - which is our Mind, our Will, our Emotions and our Intellect.
We live in a body suitable for living on this earth. And again, you can think about it this way - if you went to the moon, you would need a space suit, as you can’t live and breathe on the moon without it. So too on earth, your spirit cannot exist here without your body to hold it.
HOW CAN WE BELIEVE THIS? Well, I’m glad you asked.
Hebrews 11: 6 - And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (NIV)
So first we need to believe that God exists and secondly, we need to believe that He is good and reward us for seeking after Him. Even this statement, when you really understand it is about a relationship with God and having faith that His Word is true.
BELIEVING GOD’S WORD BY FAITH IS A CHOICE.
And it’s a choice we all need to make for ourselves.
John 20:20-29 - This is the story of Thomas, the disciple, who said that he would only believe that Jesus had risen from the dead if he could put his fingers into the holes in Jesus’ hands and put his hand into Jesus’ pierced side. He said this, regardless of whether all of his friends confirmed that they had seen the risen Christ.
When Jesus appears to the disciples again, this time including Thomas, John 20:29 says: Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (NKJV)
I am truly grateful for this example, even though, I am sure, it must’ve been really hard for Thomas to hear at the time. This boils down to the very heart of what we believe as Christians: Through the fall of man (Adam and Eve's disobedience), we were separated from God. Jesus is sent to this earth as a man, chooses to die for us as a ransom, is separated from God His Father, and is raised up again, for the forgiveness of our sins and reconciliation with God who adopts us as His sons and daughters. (2 Corinthians 6:18)
John 20:29 very clearly describes us believing the Word (Jesus) by faith before we see it. Honestly, this can be as hard or as easy as we want it to be. We could choose to over-think this, or simply say to God, 'I choose to believe.'
IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO WHAT AND WHO WE CHOOSE ON A DAILY BASIS
- What are you choosing to listen to, read or watch daily?
- What do you choose to believe - The Word or the World?
- What do you believe about Forgiveness, Healing or Finances?
- What do you believe about your current life situation?
- Do you believe you are worthy of God's love?
- How do you see yourself?
We’ll dig a bit deeper in part two. In the meantime, remain focused on what the Word of God says about you because You are loved, chosen and redeemed in Christ.
Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash
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