Hosanna Restoration Church

What exactly is required in order to really believe? We have all had times when we felt like we were really believing, but for some reason it did not turn out the way we really wanted it to. Personally, I do not spend a whole lot of time with wondering why. I ask God to search my heart to see where I may have missed, deflected, or just plain messed it up. If I did, I repent, praise the Lord, and move on. If it wasn’t me, then it is still on the way and I praise the Lord and move on!

In this verse, Jesus spoke very clearly letting us know that we need to really believe and not doubt. I think we may all be guilty of believing as hard as we can and still doubting far more. Isn’t it good to know that God can complete the good work He has begun in us? If we are diligent, we will eventually acquire a believing level that far surpasses our doubting level. Just imagine the success that will be ours then.

There are a couple of things that contribute more to doubt than any other thing I can think of. In Acts chapter 14 Barnabas and Paul told the people that they needed to turn from worthless things to the living God. They were busy making their own gods. We all know, that those gods can never really satisfy. They take from the people and give nothing back. That is because those gods are all idols and beliefs founded by the devil.

Earlier in Mark chapter 11 is where I believe Jesus started laying the groundwork of this statement about really believing. When Jesus went to the fig tree and found nothing on it, He said, “May no one ever eat your fruit again.” Jesus was not trying to make enemies of people who like trees here! He was making a point about fruitless things. Religion that offers nothing of value is another great barrier to people really believing.

You may wonder how I can say that. Well, the next thing Jesus did was go and clear the temple. The things that were going on at the temple were the same as a fig tree that looked healthy but offered nothing. The teachers in the temple offered nothing that gave life. They were selling things for sacrifices that would do no good. They were taking from the people and giving them nothing. The fig tree attracted Jesus but had nothing for Him. Jesus made sure that the tree would not fool anyone else.

In the same way, Jesus does not want us to be fooled either. He would prefer that no one ever partake of fruitless religion ever again! I am not the judge of what is fruitless. I am only suggesting that we need to consider carefully what we are eating. Is it producing faith in us? Do we really believe? Are we being challenged to really believe? Are we doubting less and growing more? Are our lives changing, or are we choosing worthless things, pretending to be something we are not, and blaming God for our lack of belief?