Is there a difference when it comes to believing God and believing in Him? I think yes! There is a BIG difference! There are a lot of people that will tell you that they believe in God, but if you watch how they live, act, speak etc. it becomes easy to see that just because a person believes in God doesn’t mean they BELIEVE Him. Just look at today’s Church – the people who claim to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, Christians or Believers, obviously they believe in God, but do we really believe God? Do we believe He is who He says he is? Like “I AM who I AM” (Exodus 3:14) Do we really believe Him when He tells us that anger towards another is considered murder? (Matt. 5:21-22) Do we believe Him when He tells us that the sexually immoral, the adulterous, the idolaters etc. will not inherit the kingdom of God? (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Do we believe Him when He tells us that love for the world is hatred towards Him? (James 4:4). Do we believe Him when He tells us that He loved us (mankind) so much that He gave His Son for us? (John 3:16). Do we believe Him when He tells us that salvation comes only through a personal faith in Jesus Christ that it isn’t found in our goodness or our works? (Eph. 2:8-9). Do we believe Him when He tells us that we can do ALL things through Him? (Phil. 4:13). Do we believe Him when He tells us that we are His sons and daughters? (2 Cor. 6:18). Do we believe Him when He tells us that we are chosen and set apart? (1 Peter 2:9) actually, read through the rest of that passage as well! (Col. 3:12). Do we believe Him when He tells us that we are to love one another as He loved us? (John 13:34-35)

So, what’s my point? If we actually believe God and not just in Him, than we should live differently. Our lives should look different from those who just believe in the existence of God. Look at the verses the Lord brought to my mind – there is a whole tapestry of imagery that comes just from a few verses of what our lives should look like as people who believe God. Yet, most often we live as those who are content to believe in Him, but don’t really give weight to all that He says. We need to wake up and listen! We need to hear His words and BELIEVE them! In Exodus He tells Moses, ” I AM WHO I AM” The I AM is the ultimate statement of self sufficiency, self existence, and immediate presence. In Revelation 1:8 he says, ” I am the Alpha and the Omega – who is, and who was, and who is to come.” Do we believe Him?! He is it! He is coming again and it is time to live as those who BELIEVE HIM! That’s it. Straight Up!