"Well, at least I believe in God."

A parent of a young adult whose life lacked any real evidence of loving God despite being raised in a Believer's home told me that her daughter's retort to encouragement to return to God was generally, "Well, at least I believe in God!" There are many people, it seems, who take refuge from a guilty conscience and from a gnawing sense of the judgment of Heaven by making that declaration. They apparently think that how they conduct their lives is unimportant so long as they mentally acknowledge the existence of a living God and profess their belief in Him.

Are you one of those whose professed beliefs are disconnected from life's choices? Christianity is not simply a matter of 'knowing;' it is faithfilled living in submission to Jesus Christ.

IF we really believe that God exists and that He had made His will known through the Word and by the Spirit, our daily behaviors will be altered. How can we really know that He is the Lord, the One who sees our hearts, the Judge to who we will give an account for our thoughts, words, and actions - and not conform our lives to His will?

"Jerry, are you saying that we can make ourselves holy, that we can please God through our own efforts alone?" No, friend, no! However, if we really believe in the God of the Word, the Awesome and Holy Lord of Life, we will not simply 'sin and grin,' excusing our self-indulgence as being merely 'human.' The Proverbs teaches us that the "Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in understanding." (Proverbs 9:10, NLT) A vision of the living God, high and exalted, drives us to humility before Him. In that humility, we receive the life of the Spirit, and we are changed - inside out!

I believe the 'sloppy Agape' that characterizes too many 'Christian' lives is the result of a low view of God. When He is tamed, when we steal His majesty - our commitment wanes and we become careless about holy living. Jesus talks about the importance of choosing to base our lives on His words. Take a look at this-

“You don’t get wormy apples off a healthy tree, nor good apples off a diseased tree. The health of the apple tells the health of the tree. You must begin with your own life-giving lives. It’s who you are, not what you say and do, that counts. Your true being brims over into true words and deeds. “Why are you so polite with me, always saying ‘Yes, sir,’ and ‘That’s right, sir,’ but never doing a thing I tell you?"
"These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on." (Luke 6:43-47, The Message)

Are you torn between loving God and doing your own thing?
Do you find it a grind to obey Him, to serve Him with anything approaching real joy?

Here's a thought from Tony Campolo. Take it with you today, as you ask God to change BELIEF into GENUINE FAITH that inspires a life of devotion.

“Joy in Christ requires a commitment to working at the Christian lifestyle. Salvation comes as a gift, but the joy of salvation demands disciplined action. Most Christians I know have just enough of the Gospel to make them miserable, but not enough to make them joyful. They know enough about the biblical message to keep them form doing the things which the world tempts them to do; but they do not have enough of a commitment to God to do those things through which they might experience the fullness of his joy.” (Seven Deadly Sins)