Do you believe in Jesus? "Well, yes. I believe Jesus was a man - a Jew who lived long ago - a powerful teacher who altered the entire course of history. He also made a lot of enemies who eventually killed him". That is historical faith - accepting historical fact. What is such faith worth? Not much! No more than believing that Columbus discovered America - no more than believing Hitler ruled Germany - no more than believing Lassie was a really smart dog. Historical faith is only facts - at best, a bottom rung piece of the whole faith.

Do you believe Jesus was a real man? Yes, replies Caiaphas - who advised killing Jesus (John 11:49). Yes! answers Nazareth where he grew up - they tried to push him off a cliff (Luke 4:28). Demons respond - "We know who you are..." (Luke 4:33) - they also "believe and tremble" (James 2:19). Faith? Yes! A partial faith with no eternal or spiritual benefit. In fact, a historical faith may be detrimental - it may suggest a person is better off than they are - closer to God than they really are.

Do you believe in Jesus? "Oh yes! I believe Jesus was the Jews' Messiah". Is that faith worth much? Of course, it is! The woman of Samaria appealed her question to Messiah saying, "... he will tell us all things". Jesus responded, "I who speak to you am he" (John 4:25). The woman called her village: "Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" They listened to Jesus and also concluded: "We know that this is indeed the Christ..." (John 4:42). A host - Andrew included - met Jesus and joyfully declared: "We have found the Messiah" (John 1:41). Jesus as Christ (Messiah) is a critical concept - a major plank in faith's platform. Many ancient Jews rejected Jesus as Messiah. Jews still do. Absence of faith stands between them and God - between them and being a Christian. "Messiah faith" is necessary, yet only partial. It is deficient - missing essential elements of a full faith. Simply believing Jesus is the Messiah will not number you with believers.

Do you believe Jesus' doctrine? Is doctrine a part of faith? Of course. Doctrine - right doctrine is essential. No one is a disciple who does not accept teaching from Jesus. "They shall all be taught by God" (Jno.6:45). No one comes to the God without true doctrine - yet many have true doctrine without other vital aspects of faith. Paul challenged Agrippa - "King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you believe" (Act.26:27). Agrippa was not ignorant. In fact, he was "expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews" (Act.26:3). Yet Agrippa was not a godly man - not right with God - and surely not a believer. You can know and argue right doctrine while a drunk - or immoral - or dishonest - or just plain mean. Some do! They may well be deficient in all aspects of faith except doctrine. They are hardly believers - even though they teach accurately the doctrine of Christ. Doctrinal faith is not the whole of faith.

"Do you believe in the Son of God?" asked Jesus of the blind man He had healed (John 9:34). "Lord I believe!" Nathanael confesses, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" (John 1:49). The "Son of God" dimension of faith is closely connected to "Messiah faith", but it is a distinct facet of faith - a vital facet. The blind man knew little about Jesus - "One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see" (John 9:25). Jews freely debated "Is Jesus Messiah", but were angered by any assertion that "Jesus is the Son of God". Faith in the "Son of God" asserts Jesus' deity - He is more than mere man - He is God. Jews demanded, "Who are you?" Jesus of Nazareth? Yes. Messiah? Yes. But much more. After an involved discussion, Jesus finally said to them: "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM " (John 8:58). The "I AM" claimed God. They understood; they surely did not believe Jesus was God! "Then they took up stones to throw at him" (John 8:59). Is this an important aspect of faith? It is essential! Ask Jesus! He said to those Jews - "You will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins" (John 8:24).

Do you believe in Jesus as Lord? Ah, this is a another level of faith - a much higher and more demanding level. Accept the historical man Jesus of Nazareth - accept that Jesus is Messiah - even accept that Jesus is God, and yet you may well not believe in him as Lord. Faith in Jesus as Lord means accepting him as master - agreeing to do whatever he says - committing to follow him even when you neither understand nor agree. Faith in Jesus as Lord is absolute surrender to him. Church members sit on the pew - sing songs about Jesus - believe who he is but - but they do not submit to him in everything he says. "Self" has not been evicted from the ruling throne to accept Jesus as Lord. How important is this faith? No one is a disciple of Jesus without it! From day one, Saul of Tarsus exhibited this level of faith - trembling and astonished he said, "Lord what do you want me to do?" (Acts 9:6). With many people, faith in Jesus as Lord is the most obvious missing part for full faith. "Rebel" is the label for those without this aspect in their faith.

Do you believe in Jesus - who promises? Call Martha. Jesus told her, "Your brother will rise again". Martha said to him, "I know he will ..." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life ... And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:23). Her faith was full - "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world". Hope's roots are deeply set in faith. Hope is the extension of present faith. Jesus is faithful - and we trust him to be so - we expect him to always be so. Such faith sustains in crisis - in persecution - in death. Faith without hope "as an anchor of the soul" (Heb.6:19) is likely to fail.

Do you believe? - really believe? - fully believe?

Joe Fitch

Sunday

Bible Study 9:30 a.m.
Worship 10:30 a.m.
Worship 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday

Bible Study 7:30 p.m.

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