Biblically Speaking

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In Mark chapter 9, the father of a poor, afflicted boy cries out to Jesus with the words of the title for today's newsletter. I've often wondered at this rather unusual statement, but I never really grasped the significance of it. Then, last night I read John Newton's autobiography published by Kregel Publications. John Newton is the writer of that famous song Amazing Grace, and his autobiography is entitled Out Of The Depths.

At one point, Newton, who by his own account was a most blasphemous reprobate for much of his life, finally bowed humbly before the Lord in helpless submission. Newton read the scriptures and confessed that while he believed them to be true he didn't really believe them. It was more like he supposed them to be true. It was as if he claimed them to be true, but he really lacked absolute conviction of their truth. He begged God to really cause him to believe, and it was as if Newton was saying,"Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief!"

I thought about how I would act if I really truly believed that gravity did not exist. If I was truly convinced, I would boldly walk right off the tallest building without a second's thought. Think of how convinced the Japanese kamikaze pilots had to be. Think about the Christian missionaries who carried their belongings to Africa in a casket so that their body could be shipped home later. You see, we say we believe. We do believe. But, do we really believe? Are we so convinced and so absolutely unshakable that we would boldly preach the gospel to every creature even unto death?

Do we really, truly believe that no weapon formed against us will prosper? Do we really believe that all things work for good for those who love God? Do we really believe that the gates of Hell will not prevail? Do we really, truly believe that we are to disciple nations?

If we really believe the Bible is true in all that it contains, our lives will be transformed. We will live as though it is true. Soldiers convinced of their invincibility and the righteousness of their cause become a mighty army. May we be believing soldiers of the cross. May God grant us faith!

I am convinced that none of us will leave our mortal life having ever truly believed the totality of scripture. Newton spent his life struggling to really, truly believe every line and every precept in scripture. We are called to this same struggle. May God grant us the grace to advance daily in our belief.