Do you believe?

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”” John‬ ‭11:25-26‬ ‭NASB‬‬

Some beliefs may not be that important or may not have too many implications. But this one does. Your belief about life, death and resurrection is very important. Its implications cannot be underestimated. But what does it mean to believe? There are four stages to belief, and each stage has increasing implications in our lives. The first stage is when I am informed about something and I agree with it intellectually, without much disagreement. I simply comply to the truth statement being proposed to my mind. There is no contest here because I don’t want to appear unbelieving. This is the shallowest and weakest form of belief. We simply call this intellectual assent. Now the second stage is stronger. It’s when I am convinced that something is true because I processed it in my mind and I am convinced that it is logical or it makes sense. This one is stronger but this is still intellectual. The third stage is even stronger because it goes beyond my mind. Instead it goes deep into my heart or spirit. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. In other words, it becomes an internal experience, not just an intellectual exercise. I know something is true because the Holy Spirit testifies with my spirit that it is indeed true. This goes beyond empirical proof or scientific testing. The heart can know beyond what the mind can understand. In fact, even when the mind cannot understand, the heart can still know and believe. Just like love, this kind of faith is beyond head knowledge. Finally, we can know something is true because we have personally experienced it. In that case, it is no longer in the arena of faith. Obviously this kind of knowing is the best. But many truths, especially those that are promised in God’s word, can only reach the third level. But this third level is what transforms our hearts and our lives. Do you believe in the resurrection? Yes, but at what level? Reflect on this and pray that God will allow you to have the deepest kind of believing possible this side of heaven: believe with all your heart that if you believe in Jesus, you will live even though you die. This will transform your life here on earth! Shalom! (PB)