Are we supposed to Believe God, Believe in God or Follow God? Are those three sets of words all different? Or do they all mean the same thing? Well, it depends. When were you born? What culture do you live in / come from? Most important, are you willing to learn what they meant when they were said? In some cases, that's almost two thousand years ago. In others, several thousand years ago. We need to look at what they meant when they were said, in order to understand what they mean today.
I first wrote this many years ago. Back then I didn't have the ability / knowledge to look up the meaning of the Hebrew or Greek words from which our translated Bible come from. I also didn't have the resources to look up cultural meanings and traditions.
Since then, I've spent time learning about the Hebrew culture of the Old Testament, the Jewish culture of Jesus' time, and the rich meanings of the Hebrew and Greek words in the Old and New Testaments. Learning about how Jewish people view their Scripture - and yes, the OT is their Scripture - has been especially enlightening.
I've come to realize the problems with the original approach. And it's not just me. It's very much the "American way" of reading the Bible. Too much is "lost in the translation". So, I'm going back and filling in the gaps. And I'm starting with this one. Because I've come to learn the significance of those sets of words. What they mean to us today is far different from what they meant when they were said. And the potential impact on us today is huge. It could even be the difference between us being sheep or goats. (if you don't get that reference, it will be explained soon.) It depends on how we interpreted those words.
For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
Deuteronomy 30:16 NIV
The passage above clearly means to follow God. The question we'll examine here is whether "believe" and / or "believe in" have the same intent as this passage from Deuteronomy.
Summary
Discusses the differences and connections between believing God, believing in God, and following God. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the original meanings of these terms from historical and cultural perspectives. It also discusses the importance of understanding Jesus’ teachings within the context of His time and Jewish background.
Cultural Context: Highlights the significance of the Hebrew and Greek languages and the Jewish culture in interpreting biblical texts, suggesting that much is lost in translation when reading the Bible from a modern American perspective.
Old vs. New Covenant: Contrasts the immediate rewards and punishments of the Old Testament with the eternal consequences described in the New Testament, underlining the shift from the Old to the New Covenant.
Action and Faith: Argues that true Christian belief involves both faith and action—believing in Jesus’ words and following His commands are seen as inseparable aspects of Christian life.
Historical Context: Emphasizes that Jesus’ messages were directed to a Jewish audience nearly 2,000 years ago, and understanding this context is crucial for interpreting His teachings correctly.
Faith and Deeds: Highlights the interconnectedness of faith and actions, referencing James 2:14-26 to illustrate that faith without deeds is dead, and true belief is demonstrated through actions.
Following Jesus: Stresses the need for Christians to not only believe in Jesus but also to follow His teachings and actions, as exemplified by the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20).
Salvation and Trust: Discusses the concept of trust in God and Jesus, and the idea that salvation is not just about belief but involves a relationship of trust and following God’s ways, as shown in the analogy of the fig tree and the promises in Revelation 2-3.
In conclusion, the page emphasizes the importance of understanding the original Hebrew and Greek meanings of the words “believe,” “believe in,” and “follow” as they were used in biblical times. It highlights that these concepts are interconnected and essential for a true Christian belief system, which involves not only acknowledging God but also actively living according to His teachings. The discussion of fig trees serves as a metaphor for spiritual growth and the necessity of producing good fruit, symbolizing the actions and behaviors that result from genuine faith. Ultimately, the page calls for a holistic approach to faith that combines belief, trust, and obedience as inseparable elements of a fulfilling relationship with God.
Is this a life or death issue? Or is it just semantics?
To answer that question, let's get some context. It comes from a passage that the NIV subtitles -
The Offer of Life or Death
Dt 30:11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
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