Do You Believe?
Are we willing to confront the reality that believing in God is more than some agreement with some ideas? Are we humble enough to actually allow what we say we believe to change our choices?
“I believe, but I don’t worship.” With that answer, a middle-aged lady in London described the state of faith in Great Britain.
In 2023, it was reported that more than 2000 churches in Britain had closed over a decade. Here in the US, some estimates are that as many as 100,000 churches may close in the coming decades.
This bleak information begs the question: What does it mean to believe?
Is it enough to claim you believe simply because you think or hold specific religious ideas? Or does belief mean significantly more?
It’s easy to say we believe when we’ve reduced belief to mere mental assent. However, that anemic standard of belief will prove too weak to pass on that belief to the next generation. So, it isn’t surprising that if we say we truly believe, it better be robust enough to pass on or it will disappear in our children and grandchildren.
The truth is, this is already happening.
Look at our lesson in Genesis 15:1-15. Here’s a portion:
After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “Behold, thou hast given me no offspring; and a slave born in my house will be my heir.” And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; your own son shall be your heir.” And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed the LORD; and he reckoned it to him as righteousness.
What I love about this passage is Abram’s willingness to hear and obey God, but honestly ask God, “how is this going to happen?”
He is honest in his relationship with God.
And that, dear ones, is the first step in transforming what you say into how you live; to love God and enter into an honest and intimate relationship with God that is honest enough to question and brave enough to believe.
This combination of love and confidence builds strong faith and peace that, even in the face of challenging circumstances, we don’t waver from what we know to be true. And that confidence is translated into actions. One without the other never rises to the level of true belief.
Abram and God love and know each other.
And Abram’s closeness with God will be proven repeatedly as Abram becomes Abraham, the father of the faithful! He is called the “Father of the Faithful” BECAUSE he IS faithful, not perfect. Abram isn’t sinless, but he is faithful. See the difference?
And here’s the key: “And he believed the LORD, and he reckoned it to him as righteousness.”
The belief is counted as righteousness as his actions prove the heart of Abram to be sincere and trusting in God’s promises. Abram obeys God, and it is in that obedience that he hears from God all that God will make of him because of his belief.
There isn’t any way for me to emphasize enough the foundational power of the act of will in believing. In exercising my will to choose to believe starts the process of the internal reformation of my heart towards God. And that willful choice to turn towards God in trust and confidence. I choose to believe that God knows me better than I know myself. I choose to believe that God’s plan for my life will reveal and allow the best “me” to emerge and create purpose and direction for my eternal life. Choosing to believe sets in motion all the internal work necessary to form the character of Christ in me.
There is no better example of this robust standard of belief than St. Mary of Egypt. This woman lived such a self-centered and indulgent life that she was prevented from entering the Church to see the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem by the invisible hand of God! Only when she promised to repent could she enter and venerate the Cross of the Lord. And the results in this woman’s life were as opposite and stark as her previous licentiousness. She went into the desert of Egypt and repented in fasting and prayer for 47 years. Her belief wasn’t some happy accident of her birth or even a mental decision to accept certain dogmas of Christianity. No! This woman’s belief was all about actual obedience and humbly turning away from evil actions to costly and consistent loving obedience! No wonder we dedicate a Sunday in Great Lent to this model of repentance and belief.
Today, do you believe? Before you answer, do a spiritual inventory of your actions. It isn’t enough to “feel” bad or good. We must move beyond the slavery of our fears and “feelings” to the brave and daring, honest, and mature relationship God longs to have with each of us. Because it is in that dynamic and thrilling practice of our faith, we discover what is possible in our lives when we truly believe. I mean this when I challenge us to be Normal Orthodox Christians!
P.S. The image of God, was faithfully preserved in you, O Mother. For you took up the Cross and followed Christ. By Your actions you taught us to look beyond the flesh for it passes, rather to be concerned about the soul which is immortal. Wherefore, O Holy Mary, your soul rejoices with the angels.
Fr. Barnabas Powell is the parish priest at Sts. Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene Greek Orthodox Church in Cumming, GA. He is also the founder of Faith Encouraged Ministries and produces the Faith Encouraged Daily Devotional on Substack. Watch the Faith Encouraged YouTube Channel here - https://www.youtube.com/@FaithEncouragedTV
