Is Believing Really Enough?

We live in a time when it seems as though we have lost the concept of truth. However, God’s communication with us is always true, correct, valid, and dependable. You can trust God because He never lies: “God is not a man, that He should lie” (Numbers 23:19).

You may remember the saying, “God said it, I believe it, that settles it,” but it really should say, “God said it; that settles it,” God’s truth doesn’t change simply because I might not believe it. It is always truth. You can trust God because His Word is always true.

Look over God’s characteristics in the sidebar. Which ones are the most meaningful to you? Which ones are difficult for you to understand? Why not ask the Lord to open your understanding to His awesome character now so you will grow to trust Him more? We’ll talk more later about what trusting Him means, but suffice it to say that it involves resting in Him, believing what He says, and following His directions in every part of your life.

Can His Word Change My World?

“Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is” (1 John 3:2 NASB).  In these words, John is encouraging each of us that, because we have been made part of His family, we will eventually bear the family resemblance.

Because the Holy Spirit’s DNA has been given to us, we can be assured that change is always possible. And we can also be assured that on the day we die, all the change we have longed for will be finally and fully completed. When we see Him at last, all of our desires for something else will be obliterated by His beauty and power.

He is in the business of changing His children to resemble Him so you will consistently reflect His character to the world (glorify Him) and then rejoice in His great kindness and grace forever (enjoy Him).

One of the benefits of being changed into His likeness is the joy that comes from thinking about Him regularly. Consider this verse from the Psalms: “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). There is such joy and pleasure in God’s presence! The more like Jesus you become, the more you will love to celebrate His fellowship with you. Remembering that He is with you, that He’s placed you on the path of life, that He’s filled with joy that overflows to you – whether you’ve had a really successful day or had a day you’re wishing you could rewind – is what will get you through this struggle.

So, back to the question at hand: Is God interested in changing you? Yes, of course He is. He’s a great Father and wants all of His children to resemble Him. But that change is initially an inward one. I’m not saying you shouldn’t think about losing weight if you’re overweight or gaining weight if you’re too thin. I’m just saying this shouldn’t be your primary (or even secondary) focus. Your focus should be on pleasing your heavenly Father with a heart fully trusting, fully resting, fully rejoicing in His love because He has promised to love you forever.

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Excerpted from Love to Eat, Hate to Eat by Elyse Fitzpatrick, ©1999, 2020 Harvest House Publishers.