John 16 – Do You Now Believe
I felt so left out because no one thought it was special that Jesus had always been a significant part of my life!
John 16:1-33
Reference: v.31 “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. (NIV Bible)
Explore: I have never experienced that one pivotal moment when I received Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I can remember attending a Christian camp with a friend where she made a significant faith decision during our time away. It was such a big deal for the leaders and I remember them taking her aside to pray with her. I felt so left out because no one thought it was special that Jesus had always been a significant part of my life! I grew up in a Christian home and I cannot think of a time when I didn't believe that Jesus was my Saviour. There was no lightening bolt, no deep voice from heaven and no bright shining light, I've just always believed. However, as I look back throughout my life I can see how my faith has developed during each season. As a child I wanted to tell all my friends about Jesus, as an adolescent I had many questions about the different expressions of Christianity and as a young adult I started to explore how I could be a significant part of God's plan. Through each step of my life my faith has been tried and as the next season comes along I have the opportunity to answer the question, 'Do you now believe?'
Application: After Jesus had been with his disciples for a number of years He asks them the question, "Do you now believe?" The disciples would have had some belief in Jesus at the very beginning otherwise they would not have left everything behind to follow Him. However, as their journey continued and the next season of their faith began, Jesus asks them to state their faith again. We all go through different seasons of our faith; it doesn't mean that one is more important than the other. But at the end of each journey, if we are to develop our faith in God, it's good for us to ask, 'Do you now believe?' It doesn't mean that you didn't believe in the first place but maybe you have a new understanding of what it is to believe. As we grow older our body changes, our minds changes and our faith changes too. If we continue to experience God in a real way then our understanding of Him will not stay the same.
Prayer: Lord, I recommit to you today that I do believe in You. May I strive to live as you would have me live and be open to gaining a greater understanding of who You are. Amen.
Do you now believe?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.