11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.
Acts 17:11-12 (NLT)
12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.
Bottom line: Experiencing God for yourself will deepen your trust in Him and His kingdom.
Teaching
The world is full of people who believe in various things. While some believe that God exists, others do not believe in the existence of God. And while some believe that heaven and hell exist, others believe that these are just myths. And all these people are ready to defend their beliefs or prove that what they believe should be accepted by everyone. They are more focused on protecting what they and their ancestors believed than seeking out the truth.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that believing that something exists does not bring it to existence. Also, something will not be eradicated from existence just because we don’t think it exists. For example, believing that gravity does not exist does not stop it from affecting you. As long as you are on Earth, you will be affected by the Earth’s gravitational field, even if you do not believe in its existence.
Why am I saying this? It’s because I wish that you understand that it is more important to seek out the truth about God for yourself, than fighting to defend what men have been believing for generations without knowing whether it’s real or not.
The Bible speaks of some men in a city called Berea in Acts 11. These men had a true hunger to know God. And when Paul the apostle preached to them, the Bible says that they went back home and did research to verify if what Paul preached to them was indeed true. So, they believed after confirming the authenticity of Paul’s words by themselves.
11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.
12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.
Acts 17:11-12 (NLT)
In your Christian journey, you will surely have men preach and teach you things about God from the Bible. Some of them will also teach you based on their personal experience with God, just like the apostle John did in the book of Revelations. Remember that these teachings are true as long as they agree with the word of God. It is good to listen to them and share in the faith that they receive through the word of God and from their experience with God.
However, true belief will come into your heart when you begin to experience God by yourself. By true belief, I mean, that belief that transforms your life, your perception about life, your goals in life, and your walk with God. This is the belief that will produce faith in you and cause you to act accordingly. Your words and actions will become consistent with the belief in your heart.
This was the kind of belief that worked in the apostles of Jesus.
1 We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life.
2 This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us.
3 We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
1 John 1:1-3 (NLT)
Another scripture says:
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
James 2:19 (KJV)
This verse implies that having a firm belief in God is dependent on more than just accepting the veracity of what the Bible says. You will get even more faith and access to deeper insights into God’s kingdom by seeking and experiencing what is written. Hallelujah.
Further Study
- Matthew 7:7-8 [Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.]
- Jeremiah 29:13 [And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.]
Reflection
- Have you ever experienced God for yourself?
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for giving me the Holy Scriptures that teach me about you and your kingdom. I pray Lord that today, by your Spirit who lives in me, I may begin to experience your kingdom in greater and much wonderful dimensions which will establish my faith in you forever more. Amen.
