For so long I read and wondered why so much emphasis was placed on belief in the New Testament. Now I truly understand.
It is time to open our eyes to the truth. We cannot hide behind ignorance any longer. We must face the simplicity of the truth, and accept it at face value. The scriptures are clear and precise. They declare the gospel of God; the good news of the mystery of godliness revealed. Once again, let us look at the facts.
St. Mark 16:9-20
9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
It was totally unacceptable for the disciples not to believe the reports of the many sightings of the Master. He told them He would rise on the third day. They saw Him raise Lazarus from the dead, why was it so hard for them to believe He would do as He said.
Though they walked with the evidence of His divinity they never regarded it totally. Even the power He gave them to experience casting out devils and the healing of the sick was not enough to convince them. Why? The truth is plain. Their hearts were hardened and could not receive the truth.
You have experienced the Lord in many ways; do not allow your heart to harden against the truth simply because it is not convenient. Do not continue to reject those things you know to be the truth. It is not profitable for you to do so.
St. Mark 16:15-20
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
This is the calling of the servants of the Lord. These are the signs that should follow the servants who believe on Him as the scriptures have said.
As I began to listen to the Lord concerning the problem of unbelief, I was amazed at how simple His response was. He took me to the account of Mary Magdalene at the tomb. I am sure most of us recall the story of her famous encounter with the risen Savior.
St. John 20:11-18
11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13 And they said unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
Notice that in the beginning Mary did not recognize Jesus. She assumed Him to be the gardener. However, the moment He called her name, she knew it was the Master. He became personal with her. Though His outward appearance was different, He began to communicate with her by the Spirit. I remember the Lord at one time, saying to the disciples, including Mary . . .
St. John 14:16-17
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
The Holy Ghost, which is the Comforter, Jesus was speaking of, dwells with you. During His ministry here on earth, the Lord created a spiritual environment for the disciples to walk in. He gave them power to cast out devils, by the power of the Holy Ghost, long before they were ever filled with the Spirit.
However, listen to the Master. The world cannot receive the Spirit of Truth or Holy Ghost, because:
1. The world cannot see Him.
2. Neither does the world know Him.
3. But you know Him, because He lives with you, but in the future shall be in you.
The Holy Ghost, living among the disciples, and being the essential character in the spiritual matrix (environment) designed by Jesus, was able to communicate the truth to the heart of those living in that environment. The fact that these were chosen by Christ and taught by Him gendered faith or belief in the Word of God as He spoke it. The fact is: The Holy Ghost will confirm the truth to those whose hearts are open to receive it. This is the distinction between Mary and the other disciples; her heart was open to receive the truth. The moment the Master left, their hearts were hardened and closed to truth.
In Mary’s encounter with the Master, His physical appearance was never the one with whom she was familiar. However, the Spirit that dwelt with her, which was soon to live in her, recognized the Master and confirmed His presence.
Now how does this all relate to belief or unbelief? Well, belief is the acceptance of known and proven facts; “To be fully persuaded” of God's revealed truth. I think this can be better explained in Paul’s letter to the Romans.
Romans 8:15-17
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
It is senseless to continue to reject the truth. Our own spirit testifies against us. We have experienced God and that experience is documented in scripture. The infilling of the Holy Ghost dispelled all doubts. The power of God and the righteousness of His Word are manifested in us. This we can no longer deny.
Beloved, simply agree with the Word of God. Conclude that what God has said about the Sons is true. We are supernatural in nature. We have the mind, heart and spirit of Christ Jesus. We think as He thinks. We feel as He feels. We are as He is. This is the glory that the Sons of God walk in right now; for in Him, we live, and move, and have our being.
