Leland Reed
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness (Rom. 4:3). Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness (Gal. 3:6). And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God (Jas. 2:23).
We are all familiar with the account of God telling Abraham to offer his son, Isaac, for a burnt offering. Abraham believed God’s promise that he would bless the world through his seed, Isaac (Gen. 22). Thus, Abraham knew that God, Who cannot lie (Titus 1:2), would fulfill His promise.
By faith, Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac; and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure (Heb. 11:17-19).
On the other hand, Eve believed in God, but did not believe God. Because she did not believe God, but believed the serpent, she could see no harm in eating of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. “But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die” (Gen. 3:3). Eve failed to believe God by letting the serpent persuade her that what God had said was not true (Gen. 3:1-6).
The children of Israel believed in God because He had led them out of Egypt. He had sent plagues upon the Egyptians, then led Israel across the Red Sea on dry land and drowned the pursuing Egyptians (Exo. 7-14). But they did not believe God and the promises He gave them.
They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt (Exo. 32:8).
Nadab and Abihu believed in God, but they did not believe God. “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not” (Lev. 10:1).
God had told them what fire to use, but they did not believe it was important to follow God’s instructions. They did not believe God and they paid the price for their unbelief. “And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord” (Lev. 10:2).
After the kingdom was divided upon the death of Solomon, the northern king, Jereboam, erected an altar in violation of God’s law and a young prophet was sent from God to cry against the altar (1 Kings 13). God told the young prophet not to eat or drink while he was there, nor to return by the way he went. But an old prophet lied to the young prophet and he believed the lie. Consequently, he lost his life. Did the young prophet believe in God? Indeed! But, sadly, he did not believe God, choosing rather to believe the lie of the old prophet. James tells us that the demons believe in God (Jas. 2:19). But they do not believe God.
Most folks in denominations will tell you they believe in God, but when it comes to teaching the truth, it is obvious that they do not believe God. The Lord said one must be baptized to be saved (Mark 16:16), but denominational folks say that isn’t so. Neither do they believe God in His prescribed manner of worship. For instance, God commands us to sing in worship to Him (Eph. 5:19), but denominations just don’t believe God and add mechanical instruments of music which God has not commanded.
Doing things our own way instead of God’s is no different than what Nadab and Abihu did in offering strange fire before the Lord. They “did their own thing.” They believed in God, but did not believe God. When we are commanded to sing and then add mechanical instruments, do you really think we believe God?
Friends, you may believe in God—that He exists and gave His Son to die for us—but if you are not willing to do as He has commanded in the New Testament you do not believe God.
