The Measure of Belief

       Some people feel that if they believe something strongly enough that it will be true or that it will come to pass.  For myself, I think I was more of a pessimist than an optimist.  I always looked for things to go wrong and no leprechaun or gnome or hobbit was going to change things. When I played a concert, I would have a bassoon reed on the instrument, one behind my right ear and one soaking in a small glass of water.  I was prepared for anything that could go wrong, especially with the reed.  Throughout the ages, men and women have believed certain things that seem ridiculous now, but they were things in which they firmly believed at that time.  The fact that they believed them didn't change anything.  Even when people believed that the earth was flat didn't change the truth the earth was round.  The object of one's faith has to measure up to the faith itself or it is meaningless.  James speaks about the fact that the devils have a form of belief.   James 2:19 says, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." 
      In this example, we learn that the devils have a form of belief about certain things.  Obviously, they believe that there is one God and they believe many other things about God also.  However, the beliefs that they have are not anyway going to be able to contribute to saving faith.  They have not put their trust in Christ for salvation.  Sadly, there are many today who have a faith in their lives that is very similar to that of the devils.  They believe that there is a God but that is the extent of their belief.  They also do not have a saving faith as expressed in the belief that Jesus died for their sins and that He is the only way of salvation.  Some may even strongly believe that their belief system is sufficient in order to achieve eternal life in the end.  However, their belief system is nothing more than that of the people who thought that the earth was flat.  It is wrong and therefore will not produce salvation in the end.  So, it does make a difference what you believe.  Just because you believe something will not make it true.  Is your faith in Christ for salvation or do you just believe that there is a God?  It does make a difference.  Christianity is a personal relationship with Christ and God is the One Who grantees our salvation.  Praise God today for sending His Son to die on the cross and to grant salvation to those that believe in Him.