Question: What does it mean to believe in Christ?

Answer: The word "believe" in various forms appears in the New Testament over five hundred times! It is crucial then to understand what it means. Jesus said that it was through believing we have eternal life. "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life." (Jn. 6:47)

In another place Jesus said, "He who believes in Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (Jn. 3:18)

Because of the above statements by Christ, and many others found in the Bible, we know that "believing in Christ" is the instrumental means to have eternal life and to avoid the judgment of God. The primary means of that salvation is the perfect life, substitutionary death, and victorious resurrection of Christ. But the way to connect to that saving work of Christ, or to apply it, is through belief.

So what does it mean? In simple terms, to believe means to place your trust in Christ. This is the opposite of trusting in yourself. God despises and eternally judges those who trust themselves in any way to be approved by God on their own merit. That kind of self-righteousness is, at its root, a pride in our accomplishments. God, however, is not impressed. He states that our righteousness is like filthy rags to Him.

To trust or have faith in Christ is your only hope. You must transfer any trust you have in your own religiosity, good intentions, or family history, and trust Christ alone as your only way of salvation.

Once you have begun by faith, you will then live by faith, trusting Him for all the details of life. The Bible says, "The just shall live by faith." Rom. (1:17) "Without faith, it is impossible to please Him." (Heb. 12:6) The whole life of the Christian is to be one of faith. No-one does this perfectly, but it should be every believer's aim.

The apostle Paul said this:

For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Now to him who works [that is, works for his or her salvation] the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.

In other words, God puts righteousness on your account, (i.e., gives you Christ's own righteousness as a gift) when you trust Him. But He will never be obligated to give you salvation in return for your pitiful works.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. . ." (Acts 16:32)

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Copyright © 2001 Jim Elliff
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Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE ®,
Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1976, 1975, 1977, by the Lockman Foundation
Used by permission. (www.lockman.org)