What do we really believe about God, His Word, His Church, etc.? Very simply put, if we don’t believe certain truths, to the core of our being, we won’t tend to act on them. As a result, we won’t experience life in Christ in the fullness of what He intends to do in and through us. What we believe does matter!
Examples Showing How What We Really Believe Matters
To keep this post reasonable in length, we’ll only look at four areas which will give at least a sample of the difference our core beliefs make.
1) About the Bible
If we don’t hold firmly to the Truth of God’s Word, acknowledging it as inspired by Him and useful as our Standard for living (2 Tim. 3:16-17), it will affect how we approach reading and teaching it. For starters, we probably won’t invest what we should into Bible study or lesson preparation. And, when we aren’t Bible-based, we won’t see changed lives because “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17).
- If the Bible is God’s Word, Then What?
- What You Believe About the Bible Has Implications
- Teachers’ View of the Bible Matters
- Resources for Bible Study: Journaling, Memorizing, Reading, Studying
2) About the Holy Spirit
If we don’t truly believe the Holy Spirit is real and vital for today, then we won’t rely on Him for help (Gal. 5:14-26). Without His help, we won’t tend to navigate ministry, even life in general, as we should. As a result, we will bring on more problems than necessary or miss out on all God wants to do in and through us.
- God’s Power: The Holy Spirit
- Our Critical Need of the Holy Spirit in Ministry
- Ways the Holy Spirit Helps Us in Ministry
- Resources about the Holy Spirit
3) About Grace
If we don’t really acknowledge that the grace of God that saved us (Eph. 2:8-9) is what also enables us to live upright and godly lives (Col. 2:6; Titus 2:11-12), then we won’t rely on Him to work through us in all we do. As a result, we will never get to the point where we give God our best because self-effort will never get us there. We’ll tend take a more legalistic approach to living the Christian life or give up trying since we can’t be good enough.
- God’s Power: The Grace of God
- Giving God Your Best Isn’t ...
- Christian Life: Law vs. Grace
- Spiritual Growth Resources (look under the ‘Traits’ tab)
4) About the Church
If we don’t think that God’s design for the Church works today, then we won’t place importance on functioning as a Body (1 Cor. 12). When that happens, we have little to fall back on when we disagree because Body life, God’s way, can not only help us resolve conflict but also prevent it. We won’t have people to hold us accountable and spur us on (Heb. 10:24).
- Body Life: God’s Design for the Church
- Body Life Can Prevent Conflict
- Body Life Can Resolve Conflict
- Resources on Body Life
If you struggle with any of the above, take time to at least read the posts under that area. You’ll also find a link for each to additional resources.