What Does It Mean to Believe in Jesus?
This month our Scripture reading / writing / study topic will be: BELIEVE. At first I thought this would be an easy topic, after all, believing in Christ is at the core of being a Christian. But the more I dug into God's Word, it became clear to me, the topic of believing is multi-layered.
Keep reading to the end and you will access the free printable Scripture list and a colorable bookmark / journaling template.
Let's begin with the monthly focus Scripture:
Keep reading to the end and you will access the free printable Scripture list and a colorable bookmark / journaling template.
Let's begin with the monthly focus Scripture:
"But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."
This verse, John 20:31, serves as a powerful reminder of the purpose of the Gospel and the importance of belief in Jesus Christ.
The first part of the verse says, "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God." This phrase emphasizes that the Gospel was written for the purpose of helping people believe in Jesus Christ. The Gospel is not just a historical account of events, but rather it is a message of hope and salvation that has the power to transform lives.
The second part of the verse says, "and that by believing you may have life in his name." This phrase highlights the importance of belief in Jesus Christ for experiencing the everlasting life that he offers. Belief in Jesus is not just a mental acknowledgement of his existence, but rather it is a surrender of our lives to him and a recognition that he is the source of true life.
The first part of the verse says, "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God." This phrase emphasizes that the Gospel was written for the purpose of helping people believe in Jesus Christ. The Gospel is not just a historical account of events, but rather it is a message of hope and salvation that has the power to transform lives.
The second part of the verse says, "and that by believing you may have life in his name." This phrase highlights the importance of belief in Jesus Christ for experiencing the everlasting life that he offers. Belief in Jesus is not just a mental acknowledgement of his existence, but rather it is a surrender of our lives to him and a recognition that he is the source of true life.
What does it mean to believe in Jesus Christ?
So, what does it mean to believe in Jesus Christ and have life in his name? Is it enough to just acknowledge that He is the Son of God?
The BillyGraham.org explains it like this:
"The word “believe” in the Bible means more than simply agreeing in our minds that something might be true. It means “trust”—that we believe so strongly in God that we are willing to commit our lives to Him and live the way we know He wants us to live.
Suppose you were walking along a path and you came to a bridge which crossed a deep canyon. You might look at it and believe that it would hold you, and you might even see other people walking across it so you know it would hold your weight. But so far, your “belief” in the bridge is only in your head. When do you really believe the bridge will hold you? You only really believe it when you are willing to commit your life to it and actually walk across it.
It is the same way with Christ. Yes, we can believe that God exists, but God wants us to come to know Him personally. And He has bridged the gap between us by sending His Son to remove the barrier of sin and become that “bridge.” To believe in Christ is to commit our lives by faith to Christ—to trust Him personally as our Lord and Savior. Our prayer is that you will come to truly believe in Christ."
Believe in Jesus as the Son of God.
This means acknowledging that he is not just a good teacher or a prophet, but rather he is the Savior of the world who came to give his life for us. By believing in Jesus as the Son of God, confessing and repenting of our sins, we can experience the forgiveness and salvation that he offers.
Surrender your life to Jesus.
Belief in Jesus is not just a mental acknowledgement, but rather it is a surrender of our lives to him. This means acknowledging that he is Lord of our lives and that we are willing to follow him wherever he leads. By surrendering our lives to Jesus, we can experience the abundant life that he promises.
Trust in Jesus in all circumstances.
This means trusting him in all circumstances, even when things are difficult or uncertain. It means trusting that he is in control and that he has a plan for our lives, even when we don't understand what is happening. By trusting in Jesus, we can experience peace and joy in the midst of difficult circumstances.
The BillyGraham.org explains it like this:
"The word “believe” in the Bible means more than simply agreeing in our minds that something might be true. It means “trust”—that we believe so strongly in God that we are willing to commit our lives to Him and live the way we know He wants us to live.
Suppose you were walking along a path and you came to a bridge which crossed a deep canyon. You might look at it and believe that it would hold you, and you might even see other people walking across it so you know it would hold your weight. But so far, your “belief” in the bridge is only in your head. When do you really believe the bridge will hold you? You only really believe it when you are willing to commit your life to it and actually walk across it.
It is the same way with Christ. Yes, we can believe that God exists, but God wants us to come to know Him personally. And He has bridged the gap between us by sending His Son to remove the barrier of sin and become that “bridge.” To believe in Christ is to commit our lives by faith to Christ—to trust Him personally as our Lord and Savior. Our prayer is that you will come to truly believe in Christ."
Believe in Jesus as the Son of God.
This means acknowledging that he is not just a good teacher or a prophet, but rather he is the Savior of the world who came to give his life for us. By believing in Jesus as the Son of God, confessing and repenting of our sins, we can experience the forgiveness and salvation that he offers.
Surrender your life to Jesus.
Belief in Jesus is not just a mental acknowledgement, but rather it is a surrender of our lives to him. This means acknowledging that he is Lord of our lives and that we are willing to follow him wherever he leads. By surrendering our lives to Jesus, we can experience the abundant life that he promises.
Trust in Jesus in all circumstances.
This means trusting him in all circumstances, even when things are difficult or uncertain. It means trusting that he is in control and that he has a plan for our lives, even when we don't understand what is happening. By trusting in Jesus, we can experience peace and joy in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Read more about the topic of "believe" in The Splendor Journal Issue of Sweet To The Soul FAITH Magazine
What does life look like when we believe in Jesus Christ?
What does our life look like once we believe in Jesus Christ? Does it / should it look any different from before? How can we live out our belief in Christ? This list is not complete, but here are five ways our belief in Jesus Christ will be evident in our life.
Live a life of obedience to Jesus.
This means following his commands and seeking to live in a way that honors him. By living a life of obedience to Jesus, we can experience the blessings that come from living in accordance with his will.
Seek a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Belief in Jesus is not just a one-time event, but rather it is the beginning of a lifelong relationship with him. This means seeking to know him better and to grow in our understanding of his character and his will for our lives. By seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus, we can experience the fullness of life that he offers.
Find community with other believers.
Belief in Jesus is not meant to be a solo journey, but rather it is meant to be lived out in community with other believers. This means finding a community of believers where you can worship together, study the Bible together, and encourage one another in your faith. By finding community with other believers, you can experience the support and accountability that comes from being part of the body of Christ. [check out our Together We're Better free download]
Seek to serve others.
This means using the gifts and talents given to us by God to serve the Kingdom. Jesus is our example for this as Mark 10:45 tells us, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve." By seeking to serve others, we can be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around us.
Share the message of Jesus with others.
As believers, we have a responsibility to share the message of Jesus with others. This means sharing our own testimonies of how Jesus has worked in our lives and sharing the good news of salvation with those around us. By sharing the message of Jesus, we can help others experience the everlasting life that he offers.
Live a life of obedience to Jesus.
This means following his commands and seeking to live in a way that honors him. By living a life of obedience to Jesus, we can experience the blessings that come from living in accordance with his will.
Seek a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Belief in Jesus is not just a one-time event, but rather it is the beginning of a lifelong relationship with him. This means seeking to know him better and to grow in our understanding of his character and his will for our lives. By seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus, we can experience the fullness of life that he offers.
Find community with other believers.
Belief in Jesus is not meant to be a solo journey, but rather it is meant to be lived out in community with other believers. This means finding a community of believers where you can worship together, study the Bible together, and encourage one another in your faith. By finding community with other believers, you can experience the support and accountability that comes from being part of the body of Christ. [check out our Together We're Better free download]
Seek to serve others.
This means using the gifts and talents given to us by God to serve the Kingdom. Jesus is our example for this as Mark 10:45 tells us, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve." By seeking to serve others, we can be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around us.
Share the message of Jesus with others.
As believers, we have a responsibility to share the message of Jesus with others. This means sharing our own testimonies of how Jesus has worked in our lives and sharing the good news of salvation with those around us. By sharing the message of Jesus, we can help others experience the everlasting life that he offers.
Call to action
Take some time today to reflect on your belief in Jesus Christ. Ask yourself if you truly believe that he is the Son of God and if you have surrendered your life to him. If not, take time to pray and ask Jesus to come into your life and be Lord of all. If you have already believed in Jesus, ask him to help you trust him in all circumstances and to give you opportunities to share the message of Jesus with others. By doing so, you can experience the everlasting life that Jesus promises and help others experience it as well.
Take some time today to reflect on your belief in Jesus Christ. Ask yourself if you truly believe that he is the Son of God and if you have surrendered your life to him. If not, take time to pray and ask Jesus to come into your life and be Lord of all. If you have already believed in Jesus, ask him to help you trust him in all circumstances and to give you opportunities to share the message of Jesus with others. By doing so, you can experience the everlasting life that Jesus promises and help others experience it as well.
31 Scriptures About Believe
Friend, I have gathered together these 31 Scriptures on the topic of "believe" which I hope will be a catalyst in your Bible reading / writing / study time. Keep scrolling to download a full page printable version of this list.
□ John 11:27She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
□ Luke 1:45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.
□ Hebrews 11:6And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
□ Mark 11:23Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.
□ Romans 4:3For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”
□ Matthew 9:28When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.”
□ Romans 6:8Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
□ Jude 1:5Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
□ Titus 3:8The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
□ Psalm 27:13I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
□ Luke 1:45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.
□ Hebrews 11:6And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
□ Mark 11:23Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.
□ Romans 4:3For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”
□ Matthew 9:28When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.”
□ Romans 6:8Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
□ Jude 1:5Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
□ Titus 3:8The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
□ Psalm 27:13I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
Click on image to download this printable "Believe" colorable bookmark / journaling template.
□ John 12:36While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.
□ Numbers 14:11And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them?
□ John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
□ John 4:50Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.
□ Psalm 119:66Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
□ John 20:31but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
□ 1 John 3:23And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.
□ Acts 10:43To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
□ Acts 2:44And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
□ John 8:24I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.
□ Numbers 14:11And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them?
□ John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
□ John 4:50Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.
□ Psalm 119:66Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
□ John 20:31but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
□ 1 John 3:23And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.
□ Acts 10:43To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
□ Acts 2:44And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
□ John 8:24I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.
□ 1 Thessalonians 4:14For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
□ Isaiah 28:16therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’
□ Galatians 2:16yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
□ Mark 5:36But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”
□ Romans 10:9If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
□ Acts 16:1Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek.
□ 2 Timothy 3:14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it
□ John 1:6-7There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.
□ Galatians 3:22But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
□ John 20:31but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
□ Ephesians 1:13In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
□ Isaiah 28:16therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’
□ Galatians 2:16yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
□ Mark 5:36But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”
□ Romans 10:9If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
□ Acts 16:1Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek.
□ 2 Timothy 3:14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it
□ John 1:6-7There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.
□ Galatians 3:22But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
□ John 20:31but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
□ Ephesians 1:13In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
Heavenly Father, I thank You for your grace and forgiveness and the gift of everlasting life which You offer to all who believe in You. Lord, help us in our moments of unbelief. Thank You for the gift of your Word so the generations following your time on earth can know of You and come to believe in You. I am also thankful for the woman reading this today. Help her Lord, strengthen and deepen her belief in You in a tangible way. Where she may have doubt, I ask that You speak to her heart in such a way she will no doubt know that it is You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Blessings Soul Friend,
Blessings Soul Friend,
Diving Deeper
- As you read each Scripture, journal about what it teaches about believing.
- Each week, select one Scripture and commit it to memory.
- Select one of the points from the "What does life look like" section and make a specific plan on how you can grow in this area.
- Pray and ask God where / how you need to grow your belief.
Resources
Download this printable bookmark which lists all of the "believe" Scriptures detailed above. This full page can be folded down the middle to make a bookmark which can easily be used in your journal or Bible.
Jana Kennedy Spicer is a wife, mom and Nana. A born and raised Texas-girl who loves boots, sunflowers, and sweet tea. She has a heart for studying God's Word and is passionate about encouraging women to do the same. Connect with Jana at SweetToTheSoul.com
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6 Comments
Will there be any new Sweettothesoul Faith Journal magazines coming out . I so enjoy them .
Thank you for this inspirational article. Very informative and helpful. God bless you.
We trust in god
Peacefully faithfully.only one thing that the heart of a person should be clean.nogelousing,about others eho improves in thrir life.The god wil be not church or Temple he wil inside u r Heart
Your article so good, thank you
Good lesson, may God bless you
Explaining very good. I have enjoyed reading. May God bless you in your work for Him.