Are You Convinced of What You Believe?

The Lord Jesus foretold events that would happen in the future, so many and some of which may make even believers fail to hold on to their faith (Matt 24:10,24). The Lord in his words puts more emphasis on standing firm to the end, because “even the elect could fall …” due to the difficulties those who believe would experience (also Luke 21:34-36; Rev 16:15).

There are so many things, so many teachings that a number of people have come to hear and accept as the whole truth. But one may wonder why there are so many churches, so many doctrines, and so many beliefs. Ask such a person and they will tell you, “As long as you know what you do”, or, “It’s the same God we know”. And the question comes to mind: Does it matter what we believe in?

Really this is something worth thinking about. What we believe in should always be in harmony with what God’s true message and teaching is, or we find ourselves doing things that do not please Him and think we are right. It’s either we are in the right path and others are not, or otherwise. What we preach should reflect what we are, not like the ‘hypocrites’.

So, what things do we believe in, that we really are convinced of? Here are some:

• There is only one true God, the Creator and Father of all. True! And our God is a jealous God! (Ex 20:1-6). He alone should be worshipped.

• Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the only Mediator between God and man. And we are all his brethren (and friends) if we do his and the father’s commands will. True! (Luke 1:26-38; Heb 2:10-15).

• There is no supernatural being called satan or devil who makes people sin, and punishes them, but that sin resides in man, and all things come from God and His will should always prevail. True! (Is 45:5-7; Rom 7:14-25).

• That the righteous will possess the land and not go to heaven. God’s kingdom will be on earth. It will be ‘heavenly’ because Jesus will return from heaven and rule and not man (Matt 5:1-10; Ps 37:9-11; Gen 18:16-19). And what was promised in Gen 12:1-3 A blessing, and possession of the land.

• A partaking of the emblems, (bread and wine) shows our fellowship with, and in, the Lord, and it should be done as often as we can (1 Cor 10:14-17; 11:23-29).

Now a time of trial is certainly coming. Those who belong to the Lord will not fear anything. They will always overcome all those who try to hinder their progress in the things of God. If we are such people, dear brethren and sisters, then we should do the things the Lord tells us to. We have to try by all means to be like him, standing firm to the end, and being faithful to the point of death. Then we shall be saved. Consider pure gold or copper. For it to be dear to the user it has to undergo treatment – in a hot furnace. And our faith is likened to gold. It has to be tried, purified, for it to be strong (worthy).

There are a number of things that need to be pointed out, as to what we believe, but just a few we’ve looked at. We really should watch the ‘false’ teachings and beliefs, and be able to teach the sound doctrines and practicing the same ourselves. We should be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks about our faith, and explain our conviction from the Bible (1 Peter 3:13-16).

Bro Silas K Chishimba (Kitwe, Zambia)