What is Belief?

By Michael W. Gardner

It is not just saying "Lord, Lord".

Mat 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord! Lord! shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven.

It is more than just believing it to be true.

Jam 2:19 You believe that there is one God, you do well; even the demons believe and tremble.

It begins with hearing God's word.

Rom 10:17 Then faith is of hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through Your truth. Your Word is truth.

2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

2Ti 3:17 that the man of God may be perfected, thoroughly furnished to every good work.

It leads to an acknowledgement (Confession).

Rom 10:9 Because if you confess the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.

Rom 10:10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation.

Mat 10:32 Then everyone who shall confess Me before men, I will confess him before My Father who is in Heaven.

Mat 10:33 But whoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in Heaven.

It leads to a changed life (Repentance).

Col 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness (which is idolatry),

Col 3:6 on account of which things' sake the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience,

Col 3:8 But now also put off all these things: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, shameful speech out of your mouth.

Col 3:9 Do not lie to one another, having put off the old man with his deeds

Col 3:10 and having put on the new, having been renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,

2Co 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that you were grieved, but that you grieved to repentance. For you were grieved according to God, so that you might suffer loss by nothing in us.

2Co 7:10 For the grief according to God works repentance to salvation, not to be regretted, but the grief of the world works out death.

It leads to spiritual blessings.

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heaven lies in Christ;