Now this is his command: that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another as he commanded us. 1 John 3:23 (CSB)

Perhaps this article should have been titled “Do We Know What We Believe?” In part, because surveys show that biblical literacy is at historically low levels. Engagement with Scripture is rare, even among regular churchgoers. The percentage of evangelical Christians who hold what is considered to be a biblical worldview is under ten percent.

We must ask if Christianity has become more transactional than relational. There has always been an element that will say, “God, if you get me out of this jam, I’ll give my life to you.” Or perhaps, “Jesus, I will give you my allegiance in exchange for going to heaven.”

Most churches and Christian ministries have doctrinal statements or “What We Believe.” We can presume that members or adherents, if they have bothered to read them at all, agree with the statement of faith. But realistically, people looking for a new church are more likely to be interested in what programs and services are offered than what the church believes (within certain limits).

When I ask the question, “Do we believe what we believe?” it is not about an intellectual agreement only. It is about how what we believe impacts our life daily. If we as Christ-followers are going to have the impact on this world to fulfill the Great Commission, we must take to heart what we believe. What we believe about God and his church, and we as his people, is life-changing. We had better believe it!

Don’t Be Deceived

Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ. Colossians 2:8 (CSB)

The primary purpose of believing what we believe is not so that we can answer questions on a test. Life itself is the test. When we build our lives on a firm foundation of sound doctrine, we are less susceptible to being deceived.

Numerous times the Bible warns us against being deceived. Jesus warned that: Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. Matthew 24:11 (CSB). Paul echoed this: Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:13 (CSB)

It is not enough to endorse sound doctrine. It must become a part of us, guiding and directing our lives on a daily basis. David said: I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 (NLT). A. W. Tozer makes this observation:

For a long time I have believed that truth, to be understood, must be lived; that Bible doctrine is wholly ineffective until it has been digested and assimilated by the total life.^[1]

Endorsing correct doctrine alone is insufficient. As Paul warned, deceivers will come and what they say will appeal to our sinful nature. Unless we believe what we believe and live our lives grounded in the truth of sound doctrine, we will be vulnerable to their deceptive practices.

The dangers of false teaching are just as great today, if not greater, than they were when the New Testament was written. We must not only believe in sound doctrine, but we must also demonstrate it by the way we live.

Do You Love Me?

He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” “Feed my sheep,” Jesus said. John 21:17 (CSB)

In the 1980s, Tina Turner asked the question in the song, “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” When it comes to sound doctrine and following Christ, love is everything. When Jesus restored Peter after his denials, he did not ask him if he believed in him. No, he very pointedly asked Peter, “Do you love me?”

It may be contrary to our experience, but the path to truth is through the heart and not the head. Peter did not have an intellectual problem. His denial and failure broke his heart. The key to believing what we believe must come through the heart. David expressed it like this: I delight in your commands, which I love. I will lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and will meditate on your statutes. Psalm 119:47–48 (CSB)

In the letter to the Ephesian church, Jesus commended them for their hard work and perseverance, but he pinpointed their problem: But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. Revelation 2:4 (CSB). When we teach and preach, is it apparent to all who hear us that we have a love for God and His Word?  When it comes to believing what we believe, love has everything to do with it!

It’s Better Than Medicine

Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became a delight to me and the joy of my heart, for I bear your name, Lord God of Armies. Jeremiah 15:16 (CSB)

How we view and proclaim God’s word will make all the difference in the world. If we treat God’s word like unpleasant medicine, the response will be one of reluctance and resignation instead of delight. We choose to believe God’s word because he said it, not because we fully understand or comprehend everything that he has to say to us.

Love cannot be separated from sound doctrine. The Scriptures are a love letter from God to his people. Even the things that are difficult for us to receive are given to us for our own good. If we remove love from the equation, it is easy to see how someone can view God’s word with apprehension or doubt.

But when we take his word to heart, even hide it in our hearts, his word and instructions are a delight to us and bring joy to us that is far greater than anything that this world has to offer. Let’s really believe what we believe!

Steve Ekeroth