Page 003 - Believe It Or Not
*Verses from NIV
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become children of God, to those who believe into His name; Who were begotten not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (NIV: John 1:12-13)
The problem with the word "believe" is that it is too common of a term today. One easily dismisses what has been proposed in the Word of God. This is probably why Scripture emphatically declares that those who are born of God have nothing to do with man's belief in some blood line, some natural understanding, or some good intention.
No, the basis for believing here is receiving and subjectively experiencing God Himself. For example, James 2:19 tells us:
"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that---and shudder." (NIV)
The demons may believe in God more than you do because they are fearful. Yet, they have nothing to do with God because they do not subjectively receive Him.
People today classify belief as a known or unknown fact which they adhere to. The Bible, on the other hand, says believing is a transaction with the living God that produces a substantial result: eternal salvation. Believe it or not! (John 3:16-18; 2 Timothy 1:8-12)