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Is Believing in God Enough--Do I have to Believe Everything the Bible Says in order to Please Him?

Next to "But I am a good person", the following question is one most discussed between believers and non-believers.  When it comes to sharing the Gospel, it is always important to lead the person to the word of God instead of beginning with the standard, "Well I believe…" kind of comment.

Following are basic Scriptures to use as a starting point. They are especially helpful if sharing your faith is a new practice. However, they continue to be my point of reference as well as good reminders to keep myself grounded in the truth. I pray you will find them useful and I encourage you to build upon them.  If you have been following my studies, you have come to learn that I am a firm believer in making lists of Scriptures under various doctrines taught in Scripture; it has help me--I pray it will help you.

This short study is written in an easy to follow outline rather than article form in hopes that it will be a printer friendly, and quick reference guide for your personal use.

STARTING POINT

Q. "I believe in God, but do I have to believe everything the Bible says?"

What does God the Father say about His word?

Psalm 138:2 "I will worship toward your Holy temple, and praise Your name.  For Your loving kindness and Your truth. For You have magnified Your word above all Your name."

Psalm 12:6-7 " The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. You shall keep them, O'LORD, You shall preserve them from this generation forever."

Psalm 18:30 "As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him."

Who does God the Father say the "word" is?

John 1:1,14 "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God…. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

What does Jesus say about the word of God?

John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth and the life: no one comes to the Father except through me."

John 17:17 "Sanctify them by Your truth; Your word is truth."

Matt 4:4 "But Jesus answered and said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."

Is "believing" there is a God enough?

James 2:19 "You believe that there is one God.  You do well.  Even the demons believe, yet they tremble."

Rom 1:18-22 " For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,  because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened, professing to be wise they became fools.."

Conclusion

Believing in God isn't the issue.  Most people believe in God or a god, but that does not mean they are saved. We are told in Scripture that we have to believe God and take Him at His word. This means accepting everything about Him and all of His teaching and instruction. God is love, but He is also Just and Holy.

When having a conversation with someone about being "saved" or about heaven, we must keep in mind that "GOD" is a generic term, meaning anything a person puts himself or herself in subjection to. Therefore, we must make the issue clear: What does the person mean when he or she expresses a belief in God--is it Jesus? Often times you will find the person is not referring to Jesus, but rather they see God as a "spirit" or "light" and not a personal God at all.

If you find the person is referring to Jesus then you have a starting point for a biblical conversation about the word of God, and it could be that the person is new in faith and does not realize the importance of studying the Bible. Perhaps, this is you today. If so, I encourage you begin a daily reading and study program to learn all that God would have you know. The Bible is His personal love letter to all who would call upon His name.

Until next time, may the Lord bless you and keep you as you continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

» left by Caleb (4 years 79 days ago.)

Great article! Thanks, Teresa.

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» left by Teresa Ortiz (4 years 79 days ago.)

 

Hi Caleb, thanks for taking a moment to comment. I am glad you found it helpful.

Lord bless you!

Teresa

 

 

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» left by Lisa from Eugene (4 years 74 days ago.)

Hi Teresa, Very good and practical information, thanks for sharing! God bless you and your family, hope that all is well! Lisa

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» left by (4 years 70 days ago.)

 

Hi Lisa,

I am so glad you found this helpful.  All is good, praise God!  God bless you as well.

Keep growing :-)  Teresa

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» left by Marijo Phelps⁽¹³⁵⁾ (3 years 266 days ago.)

Even the devil believers and trembles....good piece with some much needed lines drawn and distinctions made! (I am still awaiting your book - apologetics? the one besides the novel (I am sure I will totally enjoy the novel too!) Marijo

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» left by Teresa (3 years 264 days ago.)

Thank you for the support Marijo, we will see what the Lord has in store :-)  I do have 23 full-length Bible studies already written and for sale. Some of the local bible study groups use them.

One through the book of Ephesian, 1 through 1 John, and one on the Grace of God.

Blessings to you! Teresa

 

 

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» left by Lance Ponder⁽⁶²⁾ (2 years 154 days ago.)

This was very interesting. Do we have to believe? Yes. In every word of scripture? Hmmm.... We need to believe in the author of creation, not the creation. If by word you mean bible that's a line too far to cross, but if by Word you mean Jesus Christ, then you're on the mark. You addressed this distinction and did well imho. Most people don't get the difference. You also drew attention to the difference between intellectual acknowledgment and submission from the heart. I particularly enjoyed your conclusion.

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» left by Teresa (2 years 153 days ago.)

Hi Lance.  Thanks for the question.

I believe that we do need to believe that what the Bible says is truth.  If we do not believe what the Bible has to say about who Jesus is, then we are calling God a liar.  As you know some believe Jesus is the spirit brother of satan or really the arch angel Michael. Yet the Bible tells us differently.  Jesus says if you do not believe that "I am He" than you shall die in your sins.  It's not just believing in Jesus Christ, it's believing in whom he says he is.

When God says he magnifies his word about all else, that means it is important. As Jesus said, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

If only part of the Bible is true, who are we to conclude which parts?  One could argue that Jesus is not really God in the flesh and that He is not really the way , the truth and the light. 

However, thinking about your question intently, I looked at my title - and maybe I should rephrase the title. Because it is by faith i Jesus that we please God - so if I am looking at it as I think you are, then you are right, I do not have to believe everything the bible says to please God. - But I should be allowing the Holy Spirit to conform me into the image of Christ and give me understanding as I grow.

But in order to know if we are believing in Jesus for who Jesus says he is, then we must believe the Bible.  The Bible is God's word to us as our plumb line for truth. We can't pick and choose what is true. So, I suppose if we are going to call ourselves Christians and followers of Christ, then we must believe that the word he gave us is truth, even if we, during the course of our walk with God, do not readily receive it. 

Did I answer your question? LOL  -- or are you saying that you do not believe the Bible to be the truth of God preserved?

Thanks again Lance, I so appreciate you! Merry Christmas!

 

 

 

 

 

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» left by Anonymous (2 years 90 days ago.)

What a hipocrit you are! How can you say take everything in the Bible word for word as truth?? You must not have read it completely or understood what you read- because I do not believe the views of the society in that day are the same views of "God".

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» left by Anonymous (2 years 90 days ago.)

Hello Anon. Thanks for reading and taking the time to respond.  I am not sure how what I wrote makes me a hypocrite, but you are intitled to your strong opinion though you don' t know me. Because if you are someone who knows me, you would know that I am the first to admit I don't know everything, but I do know God's word is true. And I have read the bible and continue to read and study the bible all the way through. And you are write, many of the views of society at that time were not the same views as God. Thus his word and instruction to His children on how to live according to God's ways and not society's.

The great thing about the bible is it talks about man's sinful nature and failed attempts to be righteous apart from God.  So with all due respect, maybe you need to look at the bible a bit differently as well.  The bible is God's instruction to man - it is not man's account on life.

We may not understand everything in His word, but we can and should believe all it says, because God is the author.

Many blessings to you Anon. Thanks again for the comment.

 

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