On a beautiful flower poster of "words to live by" I read: "Believe that love is forever and forever you will be in love." Will just believing really keep you in love? The word believe can mean so much more than to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, especially in the New Testament Greek. The word believe in Greek is pisteuo (pist- yoo'-o). It means to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing); by implication to entrust (especially one's spiritual well being to Christ).
My favorite verse on believing is John 6:29. One day some followers asked Jesus, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" (verse 28) Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent" (John 6:29). When I read this verse in the Amplified version it gives me the full scope of what pisteuo really means: Jesus replied, "This is the work (service) that God asks of you, that you believe in the One Whom He has sent-that you cleave to, trust, rely on and have faith in His Messenger" (John 6:29AMP).
Put that way I must ask myself, Do I cleave to Jesus every day? Do I trust in Him for all things? Do I rely on Him for all things? Yes, I have faith in God's messenger, Jesus, but do I really cling to, trust in, and rely on Him all of the time? I must admit I fail at God's work sometimes. I get forgetful and start clinging to my kids or my husband. I get anxious and scared and stop trusting in the only One who can take care of me. I even rely on my friends and family to listen to me when I'm hurting, instead of the One who gives peace that passes understanding.
My dearest Lord Jesus,
Thank you for loving me with an everlasting love, even when I mess up. Thank you for forgiving me when I fail to do your the one work you require. When I believe in (cling to, trust in, and rely on) the One who is love, I truly will be in love forever and live with You for eternity. O Jesus, give me the strength I need to believe more and more as each day passes--until we meet face to face. Oh how I look forward to that day. In your precious name I pray. Amen.
My favorite verse on believing is John 6:29. One day some followers asked Jesus, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" (verse 28) Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent" (John 6:29). When I read this verse in the Amplified version it gives me the full scope of what pisteuo really means: Jesus replied, "This is the work (service) that God asks of you, that you believe in the One Whom He has sent-that you cleave to, trust, rely on and have faith in His Messenger" (John 6:29AMP).
Put that way I must ask myself, Do I cleave to Jesus every day? Do I trust in Him for all things? Do I rely on Him for all things? Yes, I have faith in God's messenger, Jesus, but do I really cling to, trust in, and rely on Him all of the time? I must admit I fail at God's work sometimes. I get forgetful and start clinging to my kids or my husband. I get anxious and scared and stop trusting in the only One who can take care of me. I even rely on my friends and family to listen to me when I'm hurting, instead of the One who gives peace that passes understanding.
My dearest Lord Jesus,
Thank you for loving me with an everlasting love, even when I mess up. Thank you for forgiving me when I fail to do your the one work you require. When I believe in (cling to, trust in, and rely on) the One who is love, I truly will be in love forever and live with You for eternity. O Jesus, give me the strength I need to believe more and more as each day passes--until we meet face to face. Oh how I look forward to that day. In your precious name I pray. Amen.
Photo by Greg Schulz
