The words “I Believe” were said by the Ethiopian eunuch to express his new found salvation and belief in God after Philip had shared the Gospel with Him. Many theologians believe him to be responsible for taking the Gospel to Africa and seeing millions come to know Christ. That phrase communicates not only one’s understanding of the Gospel, but also his total dependence upon the Lord. His changed life provides the corresponding evidence of the realities of his belief. A person’s works do NOT save him, but works DO serve as the proof of his new belief. Notice God’s miraculous promise to Abraham and his response to it.
Gen. 15:4-6 “And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
LESSON - Within this passage, Abraham “believed” God, and it sent the rest of his life on a wonderful trajectory which would impact an entire nation and all the people of the world would be blessed as a result. Do you have this same level of belief? If so, then there will be proof of your trust in His word. James 2:19-23 “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” I Believe!! Do you?
~Mike