Leonard Ravenhill wrote in Why Revival Tarries, "One of these days some simple soul will pick up the Book of God, read it, and believe it. Then the rest of us will be embarrassed. We have adopted the convenient theory that the Bible is a Book to be explained, whereas first and foremost it is a Book to be believed (and after that to be obeyed). The fact beats ceaselessly into my brain these days that there is a world of difference between knowing the Word of God and knowing the God of the Word."
My mentor, Pastor Don Coleman, continuously says something similar. He says that if we only believe the Bible instead of try to explain away the tough teachings in it we can become the sons of God and live as Jesus intended. We claim to believe a lot of things. But in many ways, the world has yet to see it. If we really believed in hell, wouldn't we live today as if eternity does matter more than the immediate issues of this world? If we really believed the Bible, wouldn't we give stuff away instead of hoard it? If we really believed the Bible, wouldn't we pray more as the people of God. If we really heard the heart of Jesus, wouldn't we focus on oneness more than just winning Bible Jeopardy? If we really valued the Word of God, wouldn't we let it define us instead of the world around us?
I'm reminded of what the epistle of James indicate about real saving faith. The author says that many claim they demonstrate their beliefs by what they say. But James compares faith without works to a body without a spirit. Both are dead. Real faith will produce a transformed life that results in godly works.
What do I really believe? Oh, I long to fully live a life of faith to be like Jesus. He is everything. Christ asked if He would find true faith when He returns. I hope that it is so. May the people of God come to truly believe the truth and live out the way of life to a dead world.
