Koine Foundations

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved. (Acts 16:31)

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Word Focus
I believe
πιστεύω
pisteuō
<Hear It>

In the previous three posts I commented on the abundant life that God offers, the problem of sin that prevents us from having that abundant life, and the solution that God provides through Jesus Christ.

Let me briefly review. God offers us an abundant life that is eternal, full of joy, free from need, and a life of purpose. As Jesus said:

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)

Unfortunately, a serious problem prevents us from receiving this abundant life – sin. Our sins separate us from God (Isaiah 59:2), and place a barrier between us and God, the only one who can give us the abundant life. Sin also results in death (Romans 6:23).

Fortunately, there is some very good news:

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

Because of His love for us, God provided a way for us to experience the abundant life that He offers. His solution deals with our sin through Jesus Christ who explained it this way. Jesus said:

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

Jesus Christ is the way to the abundant life. He provides a way past the separation between us and God the Father.

In fact, He is the life – the source of the abundant life.

He is also the truth, which was revealed in His death and resurrection. What is that truth?

• First, Jesus Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Jesus Christ took upon Himself the wage of death we earned and died in our place. His death removed the barrier between us and God. God is satisfied with what Jesus Christ did. Now God is able to forgive our sins and offer us the abundant life – a life that is eternal.

• Second, Jesus Christ rose again from the dead, demonstrating that He is life. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

• Third, to receive the abundant life, you must turn to God by trusting in Jesus Christ to forgive your sins. The Bible says you simply need to:

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved. (Acts 16:31)

To believe something is to put your faith in it or trust it – to have confidence in it. Those who believe in Jesus Christ are saved from their sins and death to the everlasting abundant life.

You can show your faith or trust by talking to God, which is what prayer is. In fact regarding salvation the Bible also says:

Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:13)

Calling on God is praying to Him.

Do you want to put your trust in Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and receive the abundant life that God offers? If so, you can express your trust through a prayer such as:

God, I admit I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus died and rose again for me, and you have forgiven my sins. Let me begin that abundant everlasting life with you.

Click here for a PDF document that explains the Good News and consolidates the four posts in this series: Abundant Life, Sin, The Way, Believe.

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Word Focus Lexicon

Lexical Form: πιστεύω <Hear It>
Gloss: I believe, I have faith, I am confident
Part of Speech: Omega Verb
New Testament Frequency: 241
Strong’s Number: G4100 (Link to Blue Letter Bible Lexicon)

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Bibliography

Bromiley, Geoffrey W. (Editor). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged in One Volume. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. 1985.
Dallas Theological Seminary. How to Have a Happy and Meaningful life. Dallas Theological Seminary. 1971, 1978, 2005.
Danker, Frederick William (Editor). A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and other Early Christian Literature, Third Edition (BDAG). The University of Chicago Press. 2000.
Gilbrant, Thoralf (Editor). The Complete Biblical Library, The New Testament Greek-English Dictionary. The Complete Biblical Library. 1991.
Godet, Frederic Louis. Commentary on Romans. Kregel Publications. 1977.
Ryrie, Charles C. Basic Theology. Victor Books. 1986.

Unless otherwise noted, English translations of Bible verses are by the author from the Greek text and are not quotations from any copyrighted Bible version or translation.