The Truth In Print Vol
14 Issue 5, June 2008
A Publication of the Valley church of Christ
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
“All You Really Have To Do Is Believe In God”
By Bob Lovelace
Honestly now, how many times
have you heard one profess that all you have to do is believe in God? Such will
often even when saying this claim they believe in the Lord Jesus. Jesus
required more than just saying one believes. He said, “Not every
one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall
enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which
is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21).
Obviously, an important part of Matt. 7:21
contrasts mere talkers who “say” He is Lord with those Jesus said who do the
will of His Father who is in heaven. This is a lesson today for “the foolish”
who refuse to recognize that faith without works is useless and dead (see James
2:20-26). Above all it becomes, when we understand the expression “the will of
My Father,” the very lesson people need who say Jesus is Lord and then profess
there are other religions that lead to the Father that don’t believe Jesus is
Lord (cp. Lk. 6:46). And again, notice in our study
what knowing and doing “the will of My Father” does to the statement often
heard, i.e. all you have to do is believe in God.
Jesus did not say the will of “your” Father
but “My Father!” This establishes His relationship with the Father and much
more. Do you not understand that the Father’s will is Jesus’ will? And that
Jesus’ will is the Father’s? Please take your Bible and read the following
important verses concerning the Father’s will.
What Is The Will Of The Father?
A. First, Consider That Jesus Did Will of The Father Who Sent Him (cf. John 6:37-38).
1. His works testified that the Father sent Him (cf. John 4:34, 5:36, 17:4).
2. Question: How many world religions do not believe this?
B. Second, Jesus’ Words Are The Father’s (John 17:14, 17).
1. This is so because He was seeking the Father’s glory (cf. John 7:17-18).
2. His authority was the Father’s! (Read John 12:48-50).
3. He gave us His Father’s word which is truth ( John 17:14, 17).
4. Question: How many religions do not believe this?
C. Third, One Cannot Come To Christ Except By The Will Of The Father (John 6:37).
1. Compare John 6:44 which is to say again that you come by the will of the Father.
2. Compare John 6:45 that says the Father’s will is that you believe in Jesus, His Son.
a. The “work of God,” or requirement of God is that one believes in Jesus whom He has sent (cf. John 6:26-29).
3. These will stand with Christ on the resurrection day (John 6:39).
4. The Father’s will is that eternal life comes through belief in Christ (John 6:40).
5. Those who did not believe (John 6:64) would not come and have eternal life (John 6:40, 64-65).
6. Eternal life is gained by knowing His Father and the Son whom He sent (John 17:3).
7. Jesus is the source of eternal life for all who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9).
8. Question: How many religions do not believe this?
D. Fourth, Jesus Is The Only Way to The Father (John 14:6).
1. Many today will declare Jesus “Lord” yet claim another way to the Father for those who do not believe in Christ. Many times when you look closely at what such really do believe about Jesus it is anything but a profession of belief in the One who came from the Father (John 16:28).
2. Question: Again, how many people and religions do not believe that Jesus is the only way to the Father?
E. Fifth, The Doing Of The Father’s Will Established One’s Relationship With Christ (Matt. 12:50).
1. How many religions do not believe this?
2. In so doing it is the “work” of God (John 6:29) that also establishes one’s relationship with the Father!
3. Those who do believe will not perish (John 3:16).
4. The belief in Christ that saves is a belief that obeys Him, else the wrath of God abides upon one (cf. Matt. 7:21; John 3:36 nasb; Heb. 5:9).
5. The one who doesn’t believe God has given us eternal life in His Son makes God a liar ( I John 5:10-11).
6. This is all based in the Scriptures (John 5:39; De. 18:18-19).
7. Jesus didn’t say that they “can’t” believe and obey but they “would not” (John 8:24).
8. His word which was the Father’s necessitates baptism for initial obedience in order that one might be saved (cf. Matt. 28:18-20 “all” authority for “all” nations; Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 16:31; Acts 22:16 an example of Saul obeying the Son of God).
9. Christ was “end of the Law” (Rom. 10:4). Both Jew and Gentile are saved the same way by obeying the Gospel (Rom. 1:16, 17, Rom. 3:29-30).
Some “Wrights” Are So Wrong!
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me” (John
14:6).
Hear Jesus again, “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins:
for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24). There is just one choice available
for mankind. The boldness of Peter and John was seen in their willing to say
publicly before those who did not accept Christ, “Neither is there salvation in
any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby
we must be saved” (cf. Acts 4:12-13). That different cultures see
differently thus this truth must of necessity be “set aside” is a lie! Hear
Paul, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many
of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither
Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor
female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs
according to the promise” (Gal. 3:26-29). The Gentiles in Gal. 3:26-29 illustrates
Jesus’ statement on “other sheep I have” in John 10:16! Jesus is the
object of faith that allows all access to the Father! When so called
“Pastors” are asked if John 14:6 is true and if they think Islam is another way
to salvation, and then suggest that there is another path to the Father they
deny what Jesus and the apostles taught! (cf. John 12:48).
Things About The Father’s Will That Other “Religions” Do Not Accept Or Teach:
1. To believe in Christ is to believe in the Father (cf. John 12:44-45). Of course, for that is the Father’s will! (see above)
2. To reject Christ is to reject the Father’s word (cf. John 12:48-50, 14:24). Read the boldness of Peter and John in the newspaper article above (Acts 4:12-13).
3. To receive Christ is to receive the Father (cf. John 13:20). Jesus told why some do not receive Him (cf. John 5:43-44).
4. If you don’t love Christ you don’t keep the Father’s words (cf. John 14:24).
5. If you keep the Father’s will you will keep Christ’s commandments (cf. John 14:15, 24, 12:49).
6. To abide in Jesus’ love is to abide in the Father’s love (cf. John 14:21, 15:9-10; I John 4:16).
7. To be in Christ is to be in the Father (cf. I John 4:15-16).
8. Knowing the Son is knowing the Father (cf. John 14:7-10, 1:18, 10:15; Matt. 11:27 Plain!).
9. If you deny the Son you do not have the Father (cf. I John 2:23). You’ve called God a liar! (I John 5:10). You will die in your sins (John 8:24). Those who deny the Son are in the power of Satan (I John 5:19-20).
10. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father (cf. I John 2:23).
Does the Father’s will really say all that one must do is believe in God in a very general way? No!