My girls have the DVD version of Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader? Usually, it is on long road trips that they decide to play it, and their "cheats" usually consist of asking an adult in the car to help them out. If you are not familiar with the game, the rules require you, should you lose, to state: "I am NOT smarter than a fifth grader." You can well imagine how frequently (or infrequently) that rule is actually followed.
Now, here is the scenario. The game has rules, and when you consent to play the game, you consent to abide by the rules. We expect this in life, whether it is basketball, football, or a game show. Consistency demands that it be so. For example, when a baseball team from America travels to Japan or Cuba to play, they do so in full faith that the opposing team will know the rules of the game and they will play by them to the best of their ability. This principle is not limited to athletics, but is expected in all realms of life, whether it be in business, politics, and relationships. If it were otherwise, chaos would reign supreme. The label of "cheater" Could rightfully be applied to those whofailed to abide by the rules. Only those who do not care or who believe they are not subject to scrutiny would accept such an accusation.
For some reason, however, people do not seem to think that this principle should apply to God. No, one's service to God should not be considered a game, but anyone who has given serious consideration to His Word should recognize that there are definitely things which please or displease the Almighty. And yet, everyday there are people who make the great confession: "I believe in God," with their conviction having stopped right there. Shouldn't they actually be saying, "I believe in God a little bit"?
Some merely believe that God is. Oftentimes as we read of the hypocrisy of the Athenians in Acts 17, we marvel at how they could have actually worshipped "the unknown god." The city was full of devotions to literally every deity imaginable. While our society today does not exhibit such a display of polytheism, the same lackadaisical approach to God is still seen. It is almost as if some believe in God for fear of offending Him if they do not, but their devotion ceases there.
Some believe that God is Creator and Sustainer. They attribute their existence and being to Him and recognize that all good or gracious things that appear in their lives have come to them by the goodness of God. However, most of these people believe that these blessings are a right which they possess, many even to the point of believing that God owes them these things. Their gratitude to Him stops short of reverence.
Is believing in God a good thing? Absolutely. Is believing in God an essential? Without doubt. The Hebrews writer put it this way: "But without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he thacometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (11:6). For the sake of argument, let us apply the principle of inversion. "WITH faith, it is POSSIBLE to please him: therefore, for him who does NOT come to God believing that he is, God is NOT the rewarder of them that do NOT diligently seek him." Should we desire to please God? Yes. Should we desire His rewards? Yes. Then we must have faith.
But wait! The object of the sentence is to please God! And even from this verse, it should be evident that a mere belief in God's existence or in His role as rewarder IS NOT ENOUGH. One must also come to God and diligently seek Him. All of the sudden, the responsibility of those who believe in God greatly increases. Can it be said that someone is diligently seeking God who curses His name (or takes it in vain)? What about someone who fornicates (1 Corinthians 6:18)? Or someone who is using drugs (1 Corinthians 3:16)? Or is drinking (1 Corinthians 6:10)? Or is forsaking the assembly (Hebrews 10:25)? Diligently believing in God dictates that one will diligently seek Him and diligently please Him.
Where does that leave those who say they believe in God, but the living of their lives declares that they only believe in Him a little bit? Unfortunately, the label of "hypocrite" or "cheater" could be rightfully applied to them. When the day of judgment comes, if they are told, "I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:23), will they admit their lack of faith or will they try to justify their hypocrisy? Sadly, at the time when "every tongue shall confess" (Romans 14:11), for many it will be too late?
Do you believe in God a little or a lot?
[This article is to appear in the bulletin on November 16, 2008]
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