Counting the Cost (F.B.O.) Pt. 2 - Believe

Follow. Believe. Obey.  The difference between choosing to follow and believing is that, after you begin, there will be a time when the cost seems too great and you lose sight of the reward. This is when your belief is tested and you must choose to continue past the point where it stops making sense to your mind. Belief comes from the Father and it enables us to continue to follow through hard teachings, difficult times, and persecution. Every time we face trials and choose to believe instead of relent, our roots grow deeper into Christ’s foundation. Belief is a prerequisite of obedience because, without that firm foundation, we would be crushed under the purpose God has for our lives. John 6:60-71 NIV Many Disciples Desert Jesus 60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” 61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” 66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” 71 (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.) When following Jesus doesn’t make sense, choose to believe instead of relent.