BELIEVING IN CHRIST: TRUTH

BIBLICAL PORTION:
Exodus 34:1-9
Ephesians 4:7-16
John 17:6-19

BIBLICAL FOUNDATION:
John 17:8
INTRODUCTION:
Faith is a significant pillar of human existence. The proverb, "An elephant’s strength lies in its trunk; a human’s strength lies in their faith," is profound. Faith is the conviction that what we hope for will come to pass. It forms the bedrock of a person’s spiritual life. The word 'faith' is intrinsically linked to religion and God. Faith in Christ is the foundation of Christianity. The entire Christian faith is built upon the belief that Jesus Christ is the son of God and the savior of the world. In John chapter 17, we find Jesus Christ praying to His Heavenly Father for those who believe in Him. This prayer is known as the "High Priestly Prayer." Here, Christ outlines the stages of faith in Him.

1.FIRST STEP: LEARNING, THE FOUNDATION OF FAITH:
Learning can be defined as acquiring knowledge by inquiring and understanding from others. For Christians, the first step in their faith is learning. The Apostle Paul’s question in Romans 10:14, "How can they believe in him whom they have not heard?" highlights the importance of learning in believing in Christ. Learning is a crucial aspect of human life. Education illuminates the human mind, which is otherwise enveloped in the darkness of ignorance. Ignorance breeds destruction, whereas learning empowers individuals by enabling them to acquire knowledge from others. Jesus Christ, having learned from His Heavenly Father, imparts this knowledge to His disciples.

The Bible portrays Jesus Christ as the Teacher and His disciples as students. By learning about God’s laws, prophecies, and the teachings about Jesus Christ, we can firmly believe that Jesus Christ is the only way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Inviting us to learn, Jesus says, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls". (Matthew 11:29).

In the early days, the dominant societies denied education to the masses. The ruling classes kept the uneducated under their control by subjecting them to superstitions and traditions. Recognizing this plight, missionaries believed that education was the best way to liberate people and make them understand that Jesus Christ is the savior. In her book, "A Forgotten History," former Bishop I.R.H. Gnanadhas’ wife Mrs. Joy Gnanadhas state, "For Ringaltaupe, Christianity and education are two sides of the same coin." This is why the church also functioned as an educational institution.

Pioneering missionaries like C.F.W. Schwartz, the father of the modern missionary movement William Carey, and Ringaltaupe, who first brought the gospel to our land of Kanyakumari, all prioritised education. They emphasized the importance of learning and used it as a tool to spread the message of Jesus Christ. Do we, who have acquired literacy through their efforts, read the Bible today? By studying the Bible, we can know Jesus Christ. And only through knowing Him can we truly believe in Him.

2.THE SECOND STEP: ACCEPTANCE AND APPLICATION:
The second stage of faith in Christ is accepting what we have learned. Once we acquire knowledge, we must examine it critically and confirm its truthfulness. Those called to believe in Christ must accept what they learn about Him. We must scrutinize everything we hear and learn against the backdrop of scripture to determine its veracity and then wholeheartedly agree and accept it. In Exodus 34:1-9, Moses unconditionally accepted the Lord's instructions. John 1:12 states that those who accept Jesus Christ become children of God. Acts 2:41 records that those who accepted the message were added to the church.

We have many opportunities to learn through sermons, Bible reading, and meditation. However, often our learning is like water poured on a shadow, wasted. We fail to acknowledge and accept what we have learned. In Matthew 19:16-22, we encountered a young man who, despite his knowledge and learning, failed to apply it to his life and walked away. He hesitated in understanding the true meaning of life. Therefore, he turned back without hope.

We must realize that arrogance, believing we know everything, leads directly to ignorance. We should always strive to apply what we learn in our lives. Accepting the truth is the right path to a genuine life. Those who reject the true Christ will face judgment (John 12:48). Therefore, we who learn must verify and accept what we learn based on scripture.

CONCLUSION:
Belief in Christ is founded on the acceptance of several truths: that He is the Son of God, the Savior, and sent by God. Faith is the cornerstone of the Christian life; without it, one cannot be a Christian. Our attachment to Jesus Christ prepares us for eternal life and prevents us from perishing (John 3:16, 18). Moreover, it grants us the privilege of being called children of God (John 1:12). To experience these blessings, our faith in Christ must be deep-rooted. It is this faith that prepares us to experience God's glory.

In today’s world, humanity is stumbling as it abandons faith. As a result, we have lost the strength to face life’s pains and sorrows and are struggling. Faith in Christ Jesus anchors us firmly, no matter the circumstances (Matthew 7:24,25). As God’s people, let us all fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. He will establish us in a place of honor. Amen!

©2025, I. Ananda Balakrishnan 

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