The gifts of SIGHT and HEARING are precious. Our senses feed our mind. That info is processed, and passed along to our heart for an emotional response. Our thoughts and feelings then influence our will, and our choice of action.
Like Jesus said, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45)
Our behaviour reveals what we are CONVINCED of. We ‘act out’ what we believe (mind) and love (heart).
This process is not complex; we follow it hundreds of times every day. God has created / ‘wired’ us to live from the inside out. What we believe and love changes our behaviour – hopefully for the better.
Easter weekend has just passed. A lot has happened – as in the historic three days of ‘Good Friday’ through Resurrection Sunday. On Friday, with Christ’s death and burial, the hopes of His followers were shattered. On Sunday, when Jesus came alive, rising from death and the grave, HOPE revived in their minds and hearts.
That the historical Jesus lived, died, and was buried was witnessed; even His enemies affirmed this. That He rose from death and the grave is not so readily believed, though verified by eyewitnesses, and by historical documents (Bible).
Further convincing was needed, so, “After His suffering, [Jesus] showed himself to these men [His Disciples] and gave many CONVINCING proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of FORTY DAYS…” (Acts 1)
Peter, a disciple. stated their conclusion plainly, “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Considering the evidence, Peter boldly proclaimed, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
Why such boldness? He explains, “We cannot help speaking about what we have SEEN and HEARD.” He was an eyewitness, but today the documents of historical record convince Christ-followers that Jesus lives. We have seen and heard ENOUGH!
Turning to Jesus, and trusting Him as Saviour and Lord, is not ‘blind faith’. In mind, and heart we are CONVINCED in view of the evidence. Being the risen Saviour means Jesus proved His ability to keep His promises.
He spoke plainly of this one:
“God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son [Jesus], that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life…Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” (John 3)
I’ve seen and heard ENOUGH! I am convinced. I believe Jesus! He’s changing me! I now have life, and life to the full.” (John 10:10)
“Are YOU with me?”
Pastor Bill Terris