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By Mike Caton

John 6:29, Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

These folks want to do the works that God requires. Jesus simply tells them it is to believe in the one God has sent. The one God has sent is obviously Jesus, the Messiah, the Christ, the Saviour, the Lord, the beloved Son of God. Jesus is the one we need to put our faith in. We know that, but there are many people who still want to put their faith in others things, or even themselves. I live in America, a Christian nation, I am not as bad as whoever, I do plenty of good deeds, or I don’t do many bad things. Jesus says none of those things are what God requires.

God requires that we believe in his Son. But let’s be careful with this word, it doesn’t mean what we often think it means. We too often think believing in Jesus means we believe he is, that he exists, that he is the Christ and all those other things, we believe he died on the cross, and so forth. But that Greek word means a faith, a belief that makes a difference. It is a belief that changes us, that makes a difference in how we live. We might believe exercise is good for us, but do we actually exercise? We need to believe so strongly it makes a difference, it changes us.

And so it is with our faith in Jesus. It is more than a mental agreement, or an acknowledgement of the facts. It is a faith, a confidence, a decision that begins in our head, but makes its way to our heart. Our faith in Jesus causes us to actually do something. Remember, James said faith without works is dead. Our faith prompts us to live a life that honors God, it prompts us to live a life that turns from sin, it prompts us to love (another action word) our neighbors, and so forth. This belief Jesus talks about is entrusting ourselves to God, to committing ourselves to him. It is putting him first in all we do or say. And those actions simply follow the faith, the belief, the commitment we make to God.

Father, help me truly believe. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Mike Caton is the preacher at Mount Olive Church of Christ in Belhaven. He volunteers at the Ponzer Fire Department and works part time with Hyde County EMS. If you would like to receive daily devotions in your inbox, email mikecaton@centurylink.net.

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