Just Believe!

In the sermon this past week, I mentioned that in the lower story – in our world – it’s all about doing.  Yet, in God’s Upper Story, it’s all about believing.  Do not be afraid, just believe!  I got to thinking about that and the word "freedom" came to my mind.  Not the freedom to do what you want, but the freedom from worrying that you have to do something in order to be rewarded by God or to secure a place in Heaven.  The phrase “just believe” is so simple, but is so hard to live out for many of us.  Why? 

In our culture, we are always rewarded for hard work and for doing things.  And while there is nothing wrong with doing things, we need to do them for the right reasons and realize that doing things in and of themselves will never bring us eternal life.  We should serve and help others out of a response to what God has done for us. 

All we need to do is believe in God.  “If the Son sets free are free indeed” (John 8:36).  Jesus restored and removed the separation we had from God once and for all by going to the cross.  And isn’t it amazing that, through the cross, which was an instrument of death, we are given freedom and a relationship with Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life?  Can I have an “Amen!"?

I asked a closing question at the end of the sermon that I hope you were able to ponder and pray about this week.  “Do you know the One you serve?  Do you serve the One and Only Jesus Christ, who takes away the sins of the world and restores you and gives you eternal healing and life? 

Remember, fear not, just BELIEVE!

Here is a wonderful song that I know stirred many of you this past week as you attended worship: "My God" by Stuart Townend.  I hope that you will use this song in the middle of the week to continue to reflect on and focus on your relationship with Jesus the Christ!

To God be the Glory!

Pastor Carol