Living in Liberty

A Ministry of Bryce Lowance

Elder Bryce Lowrance

Find Entries

What does belief look like?

18 August 2014

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36)

If you were in a room with about fifty fellow believers and a man entered the room waving an automatic weapon around, what would your reaction be?

Would your reaction be the same as the other believers in the room?

What does it mean if everyone reacted differently?

The truth is that there could be fifty different reactions to the danger which would display varying levels of belief and trust in Jesus Christ. Does this mean that some are true believers and others false because of how they reacted?

The answer is no.

Just like each person grows physically at varying rates so is the spiritual growth of God's children. We may not be able to form the thoughts that another believer has regarding their hope in Christ, but that does not mean we are lost because our testimony does not match up.

Consider Paul's conversation with King Agrippa:

"And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds." (Acts 26:24-29)

Festus shows himself an obvious unbeliever but Agrippa is a different story. Paul had preach about Jesus using the prophets. The Apostle then testifies of the evidence he saw in Agrippa. Paul saw that Agrippa believed the prophets. However, Agrippa was not ready to make a full commitment. He does not say he does not believe. Agrippa says that he is hesitant to follow fully.

Many would grab ahold of this satement by Agrippa and condemn him to hell for is lack of faith, but we should be VERY careful jumping to that conclusion.

The example given above shows that our beliefs will manifest differently from believer to believer. Also, have there not been times when each of us were hesitant to devote ourselves FULLY to the will and purpose of God for our lives?

The new birth is a single act performed by the Spirit of God on each child of God. However, conversion is an ongoing process in our growth in practical sanctification. Agrippa was converted on some points but not all. This does not mean he was lost for he did show evidence of life. Agrippa was not fully convinced on the matter. Therefore, his assurance of salvation would not be as strong.

« The Power of Belief | Who's The Best Preacher? »

Tags: gospel, harmony_of_the_gospels, preach, seal, time_salvation

Welcome

Brentwood Hills Primitive Baptist Church is a community of believers working together to transform our lives to the image of Jesus Christ. We believe it is our duty and privilege to live the gospel of the doctrines of grace in such a way as to edify the families within our church and other children of God in our community. Through regular worship based on strong Biblical principles, fellowship, admonishment, and outreach, we glory in the grace of the sovereign God working in our lives thereby showing the Spirit of God in the world.

Brentwood Hills was organized in 1906 in Fort Worth, Texas as Laodicea Primitive Baptist Church. You can find much of the history of the church, as well as other churches here: Primitive Baptist History Database

We identify ourselves as an old-line Primitive Baptist church. If you read our Articles of Faith, you’ll see that we hold to such doctrines as the inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible. We recognize the King James Version (KJV) as the only English translation worthy of being called the Bible. We believe in salvation solely by the grace of a sovereign God. We believe that Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, came to the earth to do the will of His Father, which was to deliver from the sentence of death all those the Father gave Him before the world began. We believe that Jesus fully satisfied the Father by atoning for all the sins of all His people. In time, we believe the Holy Spirit comes to each person that belongs to Jesus and regenerates them. Then (and only then) can anyone have faith, which is a fruit of the Spirit, by which you are able to believe the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether or not you ever hear the gospel, or believe it if you did hear it, or obey it if you did believe it, rest assured that Jesus will remain forever faithful to you because, if He died for you, He will never deny that you belong to Him.

We believe that everyone for whom Christ died will without fail be raised again from the dead to a glorified life. Even if we are alive when He returns to raise the dead, we shall be changed to a glorified life. All the Redeemed will meet the Lord in the air. Then He will take us to Heaven and there we shall forever be with the Lord. The wicked will be raised at the same time as the righteous, but the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment along with Satan and his angels. Until that glorious day when Christ returns to raise the dead, He has provided a place for His people to find rest for their souls. This place is the Church. Jesus Christ set-up His church on this earth before His death on the Cross. The church is there for those of His people who have come to believe that God saved them by His Son, Jesus Christ. To believe that Christ “paid it all” gives believers the strongest motivation to serve Him. Once enlightened to this glorious truth, then the child of God should feel an obligation to become and remain an active member of the His church. To serve the Lord in His church makes for one of the great blessings to experience this side of Heaven. It fulfills you to serve in His church and it gives your life purpose and meaning.