Although many people believed and received Jesus when he came, many clung to their religious rituals and rejected him. (Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:4-9, John 19:14-22). Religion, with all its traditions and rituals, cannot give life. No religion can do that; only Jesus, who came not to start a religion but to give life. (John 10:10, 14:6, 1 John 5:12). The difference between religion and devotion is that one is lifeless and the other life-giving. Religion crucified Jesus, Jesus gives life.

TWO COVENANTS – Covenant of Law and Covenant of Grace

There is a law of sin and death and a law of forgiveness and life: one is the law of rejection and doubt, and the other is the law of belief and faith.

All the cultures of the world are linked to religious philosophy of some kind. This is because all people have some kind of rudimentary knowledge of God. Within mankind is an inborn instinct that witnesses to God and there are numerous religions which express mankind’s search for meaning. However, religions do not necessarily present the truth about God but distortions and deceptions.

Atheists totally discount God’s existence, often because of the uncomfortable conviction it brings them or because of the terrible excesses and errors they see in religion. The denial of God, however, is a rejection of him for overwhelming evidence confirms his existence. (Romans 1:19-32).

Agnostics, on the other hand, are people who “doubt” the existence of God but can give no convincing reason why. The indifference of agnosticism and rejection of atheism both require no faith, just doubt and illustrate two fundamental laws: the law of doubt and the law of faith. Jesus said to the people of his day, “You believe in God, believe also in me”.(John 14:1).

The way of doubt ends in death. The opposite of doubt is faith and we are exhorted to believe and have faith. “The fool has said there is no God, but the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 53:1-3, 10:4).

To reject the Lord who loves us with divine love is a choice. However, to be totally indifferent as to whether he exists or not is possibly the greatest insult we could afford him.

The greatest honour we can give anyone is to say, “I believe in you and I trust you with my life”. When we say this of God, we are expressing the highest praise, acclamation and respect for him that we can give.

When we say it of Jesus, we are opening the door to the greatest power available on earth and the highest authority in heaven. When facing great difficulty, or are in the middle of a storm or terrible trial, and we say we believe in Jesus, we are giving him the greatest compliment possible. The greatest thing anyone can ever do is to believe in Jesus Christ. (John 6:29).

Belief in the Kingdom of God

Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the Gospel” (Mark 1:15). It is by believing that we enter the Kingdom. If we doubt, we will never enter or receive anything.

Doubt is a block to all that God has promised. It denies his existence, mistrusts his character, and discounts his promises. Doubt is the greatest sin for it prevents us from entering God’s Kingdom. (Revelation 21:8). Because of unbelief we are unable to receive God’s love and his precious promises.

Jesus instructed us to believe in God. (John 14:1). Those who believe are saved. (John 1:12). If we believe in God there are no limitations because God has no limitations; nothing is impossible. (Matthew 17:20, 19:26, Luke 1:37, Mark 9:23-24, 11:23-24, John 20:30-31, Hebrews 11:6).

The Revelation of God in Christ

God made man in his own image but ever since the fall of Adam man has been trying to make God in his own image and become like him. (Acts 17:29). Mans’ ideas about God fall far short of God’s perfection.

This is why we need a revelation of God and this is found in Jesus who is the “express image” of God. (Hebrews 1:1-4). The Bible is very clear about the deity of Christ. (Colossians 1:15-19, 2 Corinthians 4:4, John 1:14-18, 1 Timothy 3:16, 6:14-16, Titus 2:13, 3:4, 1 John 5:20, Jude 1:24-25).

All the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in him. (Colossians 2:9). There are many scriptures that tell of Father, Son and Holy Spirit as the Almighty Godhead. (1 John 5:7-8, Romans 1:20).

Join me as we embark on a journey through “A Life of Faith.”

The Laws of God’s Kingdom:

Episode 2: The Garden of Eden

Episode 3: God is Holy – Man is Sinful, Christ is Mediator

Episode 4: The Royal Law

Episode 5: The Beatitudes