Why You Need to Know Jesus is the Source of Your Faith
I always find it amusing when I see the word “believe” everywhere at this time of the year.
Just believe – all by itself. It begs for answers.
Believe in what? Believe in whom?
When you and I “believe in” someone or something – we have faith in it. And having faith means we have complete trust and confidence in someone or something.
So the source of your faith is way more important than the simple fact that you have faith. It’s not that you and I believe. It’s the who or what we believe in that changes everything.
Why?
Because if or when the source of our faith proves itself to be untrustworthy or unable, you and I will always end up disappointed, discouraged, and full of doubt. So yes, having faith is important but it’s even more important to know the source of your faith.
So, today, I’d like to tell you about Jesus, the source of my faith and the reasons why I believe He should be the source of your faith as well.
Why You Need to Know Jesus is the Source of Your Faith
1. Know Jesus – The Prophecy
The Old Testament was written thousands of years before Jesus was born. In fact, following the writing of the Book of Malachi, God was silent for over 400 years. Can you imagine?
Prior to that silence though, from Genesis through Malachi, God pointed people to the Messiah who would come with over 300 prophecies about the One God would send to redeem His people.
God had a plan from the beginning.
“I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike His heel.” Genesis 3:15
2. Know Jesus – The Fulfillment
Jesus fulfilled every single prophecy!
Mathematically speaking, the odds of anyone fulfilling this amount of prophecy are staggering. Mathematicians put it this way:
1 person fulfilling 8 prophecies: 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000 1 person fulfilling 48 prophecies: 1 chance in 10 to the 157th power 1 person fulfilling 300+ prophecies: Only Jesus! (from Biblical Prophesies Fulfilled by Jesus)
After his conversion and commissioning, Paul said it this way:
The people in Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize Jesus as the one the prophets had spoken about. Instead, they condemned him, and in doing this they fulfilled the prophets’ words that are read every Sabbath. Acts 13:27
3. Know Jesus – The Non-Biblical Historical Sources
An article by Martin Gleghorn titled, Ancient Evidence for Jesus from non-Christian Sources, written for Probe Ministries begins:
Although there is overwhelming evidence that the New Testament is an accurate and trustworthy historical document, many people are still reluctant to believe what it says unless there is also some independent, non-biblical testimony that corroborates its statements.
He goes on to reference five specific documents and concludes with these words:
There are many ancient Christian sources of information about Jesus as well. But since the historical reliability of the canonical gospels is so well established, I invite you to read those for an authoritative “life of Jesus!”
4. Know Jesus – The Eye-witnesses
The disciples were a sorry lot before Jesus’ resurrection. Bickering, confused, and fearful! But all that changed! Followers who ran away when Jesus was arrested proclaimed the message of His crucifixion and resurrection until their deaths … most of them happening at the hands of executioners. Would you die for a lie you made up?
Look at just a few of their faith-filled words of promise:
Peter said, “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this.” and “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” Acts 2:32,36
Paul said, “Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and He was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, He was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.” 1 Corinthians 15:3–6 (It’s hard to argue with 500 witnesses.)
John said, “Jesus Christ was revealed as God’s Son by His baptism in water and by shedding His blood on the cross—not by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit, who is truth, confirms it with His testimony. So we have these three witnesses the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and all three agree.” 1 John 5:6–8
And by God’s grace — His Spirit has continued to pour this life-giving truth into the lives of believers of every generation.
5. Know Jesus – The Holy Spirit in Faith-filled Followers
Since Jesus entrance into the time and space of history, God has filled the hearts and minds of people with faith able to move mountains. Faith that sustained them through impossible circumstances and enabled them to proclaim the truth about God’s life-changing love.
People like Jim and Elizabeth Elliot, C. S. Lewis, Corrie ten Boom, Martin Luther, John Wesley, Brother Lawrence and the person who taught your Sunday School Class, the grandparent who prayed for you every day, and the friend who wanted you to know about the One who gives her hope. The list is endless because the Holy Spirit is faithfully and mightily at work throughout all times and in all places.
We have all these great people around us as examples. Their lives tell us what faith means. So we, too, should run the race that is before us and never quit. We should remove from our lives anything that would slow us down and the sin that so often makes us fall. We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and He is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But He accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy He could see waiting for Him. And now He is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. Hebrews 12:1–2 (ERV)
I don’t know what you think about when you see a plaque with that single word, “BELIEVE” on it. But I hope that just maybe in the future, you will stop and think about…
Jesus, the Messiah, the Lover of Your Soul, the Prince of Peace, the Light of the World, the Way, the Truth, the Son of God.
There are a lot of people and things all vying for your faith but an important question to ask yourself is this – “Who or what is worthy of my confidence and trust?” Then do some soul-searching, Scripture searching and fact-finding until you know the answer. I hope and pray this will help you get started.
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Blessings, Deb!
I don’t think we think of evangelism in the way you so eloquently stated it in the last paragraph – There are a lot of people and things all vying for your faith but an important question to ask yourself is this – “Who or what is worthy of my confidence and trust?”
Perhaps more would believe if they heard it put like this.
Thank you for this post Deb. We as Christians presume to much. God has called us to proclaim the message clearly. Leaving room for interpretation leaves room for satan to twist the truth. You have given us so many great avenues to stand on. I appreciate your research and your resourcefulness.
like your message very inspiring!