There have been a number of popular songs that have the word believe, believer or believing in the title. Songs recorded by Josh Groban, Elton John and Cher are titled by the single command, Believe. The classic rock song by Journey, Don’t Stop Believin’ is typically a rallying song at many sporting events, and who can forget (I have tried to) the Monkees’ hit tune of the 60’s, I’m a Believer. They are all written as if believing is an end in itself; that believing, no matter what it is we believe in, is a virtue implying that something wonderful will happen as a result of our believing, but never quite stating objectively what that wonderful is.
Not so in the Bible where we are told in John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Romans 1:16 and in various other passages that the object of our belief is to be the person and work of Jesus Christ, and that the wonderful something we are believing in Jesus for is salvation; our rescue from God’s just judgement for sin resulting in confinement to Hell at our death, and receipt of God’s gracious gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23), the glorious life with God for which man was created.
Our believing in Jesus is twofold. First we believe that He is God, God the Son, and second we believe that He is the Christ – the promised Messiah- who came into the world as a man to provide salvation for all who recognize their need for it and trust in God to provide it (Matthew 16:13-17).
But even here we have to question what it means to believe in Jesus in a way that results in our salvation. There are many who say they believe in Jesus, but their belief makes little difference in the way they live their lives. Jesus even tells us in Matthew 7:21-23 that there are many who will on the day of judgement profess to be believers in Him, whom Jesus will declare to be phonies, unqualified for salvation.
So, what determines the genuineness of our belief in Jesus, belief that is a result of our receiving saving grace? Although, ultimately only God knows who believes in a saving way, He does give us an evidential marker in 1 Peter 2:7 when Peter writes “to those who believe, He is precious”.
The term precious is not a word that is in common use today. It describes something that is of great value – something highly desired for its rare beauty – something cherished as the supreme object of one’s deepest affections, perceived as essential to one’s greatest joy.
Thus 1 Peter 2:7 simply states that the defining characteristic of someone who has truly believed in Jesus; believed in a way that results in them inheriting eternal life, is that they find Him to be precious – of infinite value to their lives. This is in accord with 1 Peter 2:4-6, which speak of Jesus’ preciousness to God the Father; and if we are His children, how can Jesus be anything less than precious to us?
Thus those who truly believe in Jesus – those who will inherit eternal life – those who become citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven upon their death (Philippians 3:20-21), are those who through the hearing of the Gospel, and by the work of the Holy Spirit in their hearts, have come to believe that Jesus the Christ, God the Son is precious, more valuable to them than anything or anyone in this world; essential to their present and eternal happiness; worthy of being known intimately, loved supremely, obeyed perfectly, worshiped exclusively and pursued passionately as the desire of their heart and the delight of their soul. They are men and women who believe that through His sinless life, sacrificial death and miraculous resurrection He has, in love, accomplished everything necessary to rescue them from the horrors of Hell and to qualify them for entrance into Heaven at their death. There they will await, in the immediate presence of God where there is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11), the resurrection of their new glorified bodies in which they will, at Jesus’ second coming, enter a new heavens and new earth (2 Peter 3:13). There, throughout eternity, Jesus will satisfy every need, every desire and every longing they have ever had, or will have in ways they cannot even begin to conceive of or imagine (1 Corinthians 2:9). All of this is what makes Him precious to those who believe. Is He precious to you?
Grace and Peace ×
Well said Jim belief is an action. When you hold on to that which you believe is precious it is not in word only you demonstrate its worth to you .Good word .
Thank you my brother for this read.
Much of it spoke to my journey.
When I found out that this world is not all about me I was somewhat surprised, when I found out it was all about God’s purpose and His pleasure. I first wondered ,well what about me ! As time went on there where many different thoughts and growing pains and pleasures, I now find myself surrendering more often and trusting God for change in me. (He hardens and soften the heart) I have noticed that the harder I try to change myself the more I fail at it.
Therefore I have come to the conclusion, scripturally, that only God can do the permanent changing of the heart.
The Potter’s Wheel
Can be a rough ride
But from Glory to Glory
His image with Shine. . .