Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 11/29/2004

Question
It says in John 3:16 that whoever "believes" in Jesus shall be
saved, but what does that exactly mean?

I just don't feel like I "believe"...I know that all religions could be
right, and so I don't feel like I can muster the total dedication
necessary to feel like I really 'know' that Jesus is the Son of God.

Any help would be appreciated.



Sincerely,
Matt Bachman

Answer
Hi Matt

Thanks for this great question.  I will try to answer this briefly and simply.  There are several things to consider.

1.  When we think of belief in the Bible, another term is faith.  We must have faith, or take God at His word.

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

2.  Now everyone has faith in something.... so the mere belief in something is not enough....  you can believe that the chair on which you are sitting will hold you up....that is belief...or faith...but it is irrelevant to spiritual things.  So let us see what the opposite of Bible faith is....

Habakkuk 2:4
4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

The opposite of Biblical faith in God is pride...or...faith in yourself.

3.  Bible faith is transfering your trust from yourself to Jesus Christ alone.  Let us go back to the verse you cited:

John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Jesus was speaking with Nicodemus, a well known religious leader.  Nicodemus followed the law to the best of his ability.  He was hoping to merit eternal life by his actions...so even though he bleieved ABOUT God and Jesus Christ, he was TRUSTING in himself..... the demons have that much belief.

James 2:19
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

You see our works will not pay for sin or earn us a place in heaven.

Isaiah 64:6
6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Abraham was declared to be righteous (the word is  "justified" based on his transfer of trust from himself to God regarding His promise.

Romans 4:1-7


What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture?  Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

So....you must transfer your trust from your own righteousness to what Jesus did on the cross....this is the specific thing that you must believe.  That belief is much more than historical belief.  For example, do you believe in George Washington?  Sure you do....but is he doing anything for you today?  You can believe in the historical fact of Jesus but what are you trusting in to get to heaven?  You can believe about Jesus but trust in your baptism, communion, acts of contrition, or something else....therefore you do not have saving faith.  You must come to God in simple child like faith.

Romans 10:9-10,13
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps you some.

In Christ,
Pastor Don