Is there a distinction between thinking something and believing something?
Just like putting the horse in front of the cart, I think (pun intended) thinking precedes believing. It may be more of a subtle distinction than a substantive difference, but it’s an interesting discussion to consider.
When I made a very conscious choice and believed by faith that Jesus was in reality God, who miraculously entered into this world as a human being, ultimately to die on a cross in order to pay for my sins which I could never atone for by my own efforts (no matter how ‘good’ a life I tried to live) … I most definitely thought about why I would make such a life altering decision.
Soon after graduation from high school, I became a Bible believing Christian. However, it wasn’t because I studied the Bible in search of evidence that Jesus was who He claimed to be. I actually saw first hand a life lived out daily completely and totally transformed! A Biblical definition of being transformed is, “A change of their very nature or a change at the heart of who they are.” All I knew at the time was my mom was changed in an instant, beyond my recognition, and I wanted what she had!
Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].”
John 1:12 says, “But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name.”
1 Peter 1:22-23 says, “Since by your obedience to the truth you have purified yourselves for a sincere love of the believers, [see that you] love one another from the heart [always unselfishly seeking the best for one another], for you have been born again [that is, reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] not of seed which is perishable but [from that which is] imperishable and immortal, that is, through the living and everlasting word of God.”
Acts 2:36-39 says, “Therefore let all the house of Israel recognize beyond all doubt that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart [with remorse and anxiety], and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what are we to do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is for you and your children and for all who are far away [including the Gentiles], as many as the Lord our God calls to Himself.”
Just about every decision we make boils down to whatever our baseline is for identifying truth, before taking action. My baseline for what I believe is true is Jesus, and what the Bible teaches about Him.
Have you personally experienced a change of your very nature, or a change at the heart of who you are? If so, don’t hesitate to share your testimony anywhere and every where you go! If not, please reach out, as we would love to try and answer any questions you may have in order to get you thinking about what it could mean to be transformed through the sacrificial love of Christ.