If you were approached by an individual who claimed to have an absolute cure for the common cold, and the last words of his pitch were, “but you have to believe in it,” you would probably call him a charlatan and send him packing. When we are looking for a cure or fix to a serious problem, we want empirical evidence sufficient to warrant our confidence. We insist on being objective about the claims of others.
So it is when we tell someone God’s way of dealing with the problem of sin; we do pretty well at explaining until we get to the part about, “but you have to believe in it.” Though it is not complicated at all, for one reason or another there seems to be a natural aversion to the path of faith. Faith is assumed too fickle, too subjective. What one believes often seems to diminish or evolve. Many have asked, “Can such a weighty matter as the eternal destiny of my soul depend upon so little effort on my part? …so simple, and unadorned, a process?” The answer is Yes!
As unnerving as it may be, the Bible is clear, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)” And His offer of salvation is only to those who are willing to believe: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12)” “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved… (Acts 16:31)”
But don’t lose hope; the faith that God requires is not totally unfounded; just look at all that He has so miraculously done. Even the eternality and omnipotence of God are evident when we consider what He has made. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Romans 1:20)”
Since so much of His handiwork is visible, it is a small step of faith to believe that God can save your soul as He has promised. Only Believe!