Do You Believe?

"Then Philip spoke and beginning with this Scripture he preached Jesus to him [explaining that He is the promised Messiah and the source of salvation]. As they continued along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch exclaimed, “Look! Water! What forbids me from being baptized?” Early mss do not contain this v.[Philip said to him, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he replied, “I do believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”] And he ordered that the chariot be stopped; and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him." (Acts 8:35-38, AMP)

"You believe that there is one God; you do well. The demons also believe and tremble." (James 2:19, MEV)

Many people claim to believe in Jesus. They say they love Jesus, that Jesus is their Lord and Saviour. They claim to have surrendered their lives to Jesus. Well, if you surrender something to someone, you no longer have control over it. You can't eat your cake and have it. You cannot surrender your life to Jesus and still be in control.

The Ethiopian eunuch was reading Isaiah 53. He came across the part that prophesied about the death of Jesus as follows:

"He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment, and who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgressions of My people He was stricken." (Isaiah 53:7-8, NKJV)

You see, the Ethiopian eunuch saw nothing wrong with going the full length. He did not pick and choose. Philip came by his side, explained the Scriptures to him and he was convinced beyond any shadow of doubt that Jesus is Lord and Saviour. Many people accept Jesus as Saviour but not Lord. The truth of the matter is that if Jesus is not Lord, then all claims to belief in Jesus are false. 

The early Christians did not believe in a half-hearted profession of faith. For them it was total surrender to Jesus, body, soul and spirit or nothing. The disciples, who were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:26) were called Christians because people saw in them Jesus - the life and love of Jesus. Is that the way it is for you?

Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." (John 14:15, NKJV). For the Ethiopian eunuch, the public demonstration of his faith in Jesus was important. He asked to be baptized and it is reasonable to assume that through him Christianity spread in North East Africa. Although the New Testament was not written at that time the eunuch was obeying the Word of God as follows:

" He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16)

Total obedience, not partial or delayed obedience is what is required. The Bible says that demons believe that God exists; they believe Jesus exists and they know that He died on the cross for our sins, was buried, rose from the dead and ascended to Heaven. The demons know that Jesus is Lord but they are rebellious and they continue to engage in demonic activities. And they will have their place in the lake of fire. Just saying 'I believe' is not enough; it must be followed by action. Jesus said by their fruits, believers and unbelievers shall be known (Matthew 7:16). Faith without works is dead (James 2:26).

What fruits are you producing? Are you walking by faith or by sight? Do you love your enemies and neighbours? Are you a soul-winner? What is your prayer life like? Is prayer the first port of call or the last resort? Is your life glorifying God? Does your life show that you are a new creation? Is there any difference between you and unbelievers?  

IS JESUS LORD OF YOUR LIFE? For Jesus to be Lord, it means He must be in charge. IS JESUS IN CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE?

The Ethiopian eunuch put Jesus in charge of his life. He read the Scriptures, sought clarification and once the Scriptures were explained, he did not spend time arguing. He simply obeyed. ARE YOU OBEDIENT, ARGUMENTATIVE OR STUBBORN?

God knows everything. The Bible says

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." (Galatians 6:7) 

If you have not surrendered completely to Jesus, you can do that right now. Call upon Him in repentance, sincerely ask for forgiveness and receive Him as Lord and Saviour today and He will guide you by the power of the Holy Spirit. Let God show you the way. The truth is that we are not intelligent, knowledgeable or wise enough to know the way forward. Jesus is the Way (the only Way), the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). When He is in control, you will never miss your way, you will walk in the truth and abundant and eternal life will be your portion in Jesus' Name. Call upon Jesus and you shall be saved. COME TO JESUS TODAY.

May the Holy Spirit open your eyes of understanding today as you walk in obedience before Him. Have a blessed day.

Is. 53:7,