What Do You Really Believe?

Read through the Gospels in a Year: Luke 20:1-8
Read the New Testament in a Year: Titus 3:9-15

Happy Labor Day!

The leaders come to Jesus questioning his authority, “Who do you think you are? And why give you the right to do what you are doing?” The leaders could have been referring to Jesus overturning the tables in the temple, but the reference to his teaching broadens the complaint. The leaders’ reaction was in stark contrast to the reaction of the people. The people were hanging on every word and submitting to the teaching, while the leaders were protested Jesus authority. How do you respond to Jesus teaching? Are you more like the leaders or the people? Are you protesting against Jesus or submitting to his Word?

For most Christians the answers to the above questions are easy to answer. Of course we say that we trust God’s Word and listen to his teaching. Of course we say that we do not question Jesus’ authority. But is that true? Mark Lierderbach, Professor of Theology, Ethics, and Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary shared a formula of how we know our real beliefs.

Our stated belief minus our actual practice equals our real belief

For example, a stated belief is that water is the best drink for your body, minus my actual practice of only drinking soda and sweet tea, equals the real belief of water is that it actually is not the best drink for my body. Or maybe we can use the church. A stated belief of the church is that the gathering of the church should be a priority of one’s life, minus the actual practice of regularly missing church gatherings for sports activities and sleep, equals the real belief that the church is really not a priority in one’s life.

Don’t just pay lip-service to Jesus in regards to his authority. Jesus wants your stated belief and your actual practices based on your beliefs to be the same.