2 Corinthians 10:18 English Standard Version (ESV) For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Belief is a function of the mind. If I were to say I believe, where is my proof? If my Lord says that I believe He is my proof. The only unanswered question in all that is how does anyone know I believe?

2 Corinthians 13:3 English Standard Version (ESV) since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.

I do not have to prove anything nor should I try. My Lord will prove to others what is true and if I be true, then it will be seen by the power of God which abides in them. Now for the tricky part. This will only happen if it serves God’s purpose. The Spirit responds to the will of God, not me.

2 Corinthians 4:8-10 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁸ We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰ always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

If the life of Christ is to be seen in us, it is not going to be in those times when everything is good and easy. It is when afflictions come, when we are perplexed, persecuted and attacked that Christ appears, if not to others then at least to ourselves.

Romans 8:18 English Standard Version (ESV)

Future Glory

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Can you believe this by faith?

Hebrews 11:6 English Standard Version (ESV) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Two basic elements are identified here. They are faith and belief. Many will tell you that they are the same thing. Are they?

We all have a mind and with it choose to believe what we want. Faith in this context is a gift from God which allows us to please Him. Do we always use that gift to please God? Not at all until we believe that there is a God who is above all gods and is the creator of heaven and earth. Faith lies dormant in all mankind until planted in the right place.

John 12:24 English Standard Version (ESV) Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

It is only natural to question how I know that the parable of this grain is faith. The only way I know is the same way other believers understand and unbelievers do not. I put my faith in Christ.

Ephesians 3:16-19 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁶ that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

This comprehension of truth can only exist if Christ has given you the Holy Spirit to reveal truth. He will only send the Comforter if you have places your faith in His word on the Cross.

Merely believing is not enough.