September 27, 2005

 

Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?”

--John 1:35-38

 

Charles Spurgeon claimed that 98 percent of the people he met—including the criminals he visited in England’s prisons—told him that they believed the Bible to be true. But the vast majority had never made a personal, life-changing commitment to Jesus Christ. “Believe” was not an active verb for them.

 

Why do you believe? Is it because the faith you claim was passed down through your family tree? Is it what your parents or guardians taught you as a young child and you’ve clung to it? Do you believe because you think it’s better than not believing? Or do you believe because you’ve found the truth you’ve heard to be life-changing and true in your own life?

 

In the passage above, Jesus was looking beyond the surface and into the hearts of these two followers. He’s asking the same question to you today. What are you looking for? What are you living for? Why do you follow Me? Do you want happiness, security, significance, or success?

 

Check your heart. Do you “believe” actively…or do you just proclaim from your mouth? If you’ve been "believing" only with your words instead of both your words and actions, then come to the Lord Jesus Christ. Believe that He died for you and rose again. Openly confess your sins to Him and place your faith in Him as the Lord and Savior of your life. Then, seek to have a constant relationship with Him…dying to yourself each day to follow His lead in your life.

 

ASK YOURSELF: WHAT IS IT THAT YOU REALLY WANT? ALL THAT YOU CAN NEED AND MORE, JESUS CAN PROVIDE IF YOU’LL TRUST IN HIM.