In the Book of John, we read of a conversation between Jesus and a Pharisee, Nicodemus. They were talking about spiritual truths. Nicodemus is confused and has no understanding of what Jesus was saying. Jesus made a profound statement that should bring concern to all in ministry. Jesus said, “You are Israel’s teacher, and you do not understand these things? As they continued their conversation, Jesus points out, “…you do not believe.” (John 3:10, 12) The beloved John makes it clear that the Pharisees could not understand what Jesus was teaching. (John 10:6) A Pharisee (Φαρισαῖος Pharisaios) is a member of a Jewish religious sect. Pharisees were educated (Nelson’s New Testament Bible Manners and Customs) The Pharisees are described by two first century sources, the New Testament and Josephus, a Jewish Historian who wrote for non-Jews in the Greek language. The picture of the Pharisees in the Gospels often present’s them as legalistic, hypocrites and were blind to Jesus’ message.
To “believe (πιστεύω pisteúō) means to imply trust. (Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.) This trust causes you to live out what you believe. Pisteuo belief is like: I can say I believe there is a game of golf. Golf is real, many play it and there are some that make a lot of money playing golf. My belief in golf does not move me to participate in it. As a matter of fact, when I played golf in high school, I got board. I started chasing ground squirrels with the golf cart and golf clubs. That is not the type of belief in golf one should have. Many have that type of belief in God, Christ and the Holy Spirit. They are reckless in there living for self, while claiming to believe in Jesus.
There is a Arabian Horse trainer, David Boggs. He has pisteuo belief in the Arabian Horse business. He does whatever it takes to make the business work by investing money, time, and strength. He studies and applies what he believes will work in getting Arabian Horses ready for the show ring, he understands the genetics for future generations and disciples others in the business.
Christians who believe in Jesus will do whatever it takes on their part to get done what He says to do. They invest money, time and strength. They study to show themselves approved to be teachers of the Word, they have tasted the Lord is good, they teach the Word to younger generations and they disciples other in the truths of Lord.
Hearing from the Lord requires that you have Biblical belief.
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