Do You Really Believe?

"At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal." - Revelation 4:2-6

That is a picture of God, the Father, sitting on His throne in Heaven.  Is that how you see God? We taught a study some years back called the Truth Project by Focus On The Family.  In that study the speaker posed a question that has stuck with me over these many years. "Do you believe that what you believe is really real?" In other words - does what you say you believe match how you live your life - how you respond to life? Does it match what you embrace as important in your life.

Do you believe that there is a sovereign God who reigns over everything in the universe? And if you truly believe that - do you allow that belief to govern how you live your life? As you know the greatest commandment in the Bible is found in Matthew 22.

"One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” "Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment." - Matthew 22:35-38

That covers the first 4 commandments of the 10 commandments in Exodus 20. Putting God and His commandments in first place above all else. Why? Because you believe that He is sovereign. He has absolute rule over all creation. He determines what is right and what is wrong. As His children, we walk in obedience to Him because we love Him. He is our God. And your heart is totally devoted to Him.

What God is not is our heavenly waiter standing by patiently waiting for our next order. He does not wink at our sin, saying "it's OK", don't worry about it. He sent His Son to pay the penalty for those sins. Sinning is not a trivial thing. Do you believe that what you believe is really real? The only part of the Bible that you believe is the part that you obey.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone