John 3:16Sample

What is belief?

Before it was revived by the first Shrek movie, pop anthem I’m a Believer already was a smash hit in the late 1960s, courtesy of The Monkees. Written by Neil Diamond, I’m a Believer offers an immediate antidote to disbelief about true love: "Then I saw her face, now I’m a believer, and not a trace of doubt in my mind."

Wow. That’s such an instantaneous shift from the pessimism of the song’s memorable start: "I thought love was only true in fairy tales." Just seeing someone’s face flicked the switch to wholehearted belief? Wow.

Does belief work like that for you? Can you choose to believe something at first sight or thought? Maybe, according to a brief article I recently read by a professor of philosophy. Basically, he acknowledged it is possible for us to think we instantly believe while noting the significant part played by evidence, as well as our environment, intelligence, experiences, and prejudices.

Whether we are quick to believe or not, belief matters. Our life is fundamentally driven by what we believe, as this defines our view of reality. Even more critical than what we believe is the next deep stage of "what does it mean to actually believe something?" For example, what does it mean to believe in the one and only Son of God?

Is John 3:16 telling us that Eternal Life awaits anyone who believes Jesus existed? Or is there more to belief in God giving His one and only Son? You might like to explore this belief with a friend or family member, given the forever stakes of what it actually means.

Written by BEN McEACHEN