The believer of God who believes in the Lord has an unshakeable trust in Him and enjoys a unique relationship with His Master and maker. The word believer is used to refer to a person who is convinced that Jesus is the Messiah and the author of salvation. Acts 16:1 “Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:” A believer carries the idea of faithfulness and loyalty. A believer is one who faithfully trusts in Jesus.
A believer has received the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God into their hearts, resulting in a new creation. John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” II Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” A believer hears and accepts the words of Jesus and changes his life. Thus, he is a born-again Christian. He goes through the phase of saving faith which involves repentance and unreserved commitment to Lord Jesus Christ. True believers are those who hear the Word of God, believe it in their hearts, and recognize the value of the message to the extent that they take up their crosses to follow Jesus. Luke 9:23 “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
The first and second-century Christians were proud to call themselves believers and Christians. With the passage of time, this has lost its meaning. It has come to mean one’s religious preference, akin to Buddhism, Jainism, or Islam. Today, many people call themselves “Christians” or “believers,” but the label has more to do with culture or upbringing than true faith in Christ. Believers lived quite differently from their unbelieving peers. They may have had a sordid past, but once surrendered to Jesus, they had been redeemed and transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit There were no cultural benefits of being a believer. To believe in Jesus of Nazareth as the promised Messiah often meant persecution, rejection, and even death. II Corinthians 4:8-10 “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body
The Hallmark of a true believer is that he leads a Christ-centric life and the life he lives is a living and a burning testimony for others. The worldly pleasures have little meaning and the crown of life is the goal. The priority of such believers is reflected in Mathew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” A believer has many promises of God to comfort and encourage him and motivate him to greater service. He cements a relationship with God that sets him free from his old life of guilt, shame, and sin. A believer experiences a love like no other and is empowered to love others.
Dr Ashwin Drummond
Laddertoheaven.co.in