Day 1: Jesus, The Source of Our Belief

Anyone who knows me, knows that since childhood, my favorite book of the Bible is the Gospel of John. Also, anyone who knows me knows that my favorite Bible verse about belief is John 3:16. In case you don’t know the verse by heart, it says in the NKJV, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  

This verse reminds me that Jesus is the Source of our belief, the reason why we have hope, the reason why we have eternal life. Sometimes, my humanity gets in the way and I forget that I cannot save myself. I may be able to take God’s direction in order to be saved from one thing or another, but ultimately, it is God through Christ Jesus, who saved/saves/will save me. Even at my most sinful, Jesus Christ says, “I am your source for salvation, redemption, and restoration. You must simply believe.” 

John 3:16 reminds us all that salvation is not earned. We cannot make enough money, climb the career ladder high enough, or be good enough to obtain eternal life. Yet, it is easier to obtain it than doing any of that. All we have to do is believe. 

Today, as you observe or think about Ash Wednesday and the rest of this Lenten season, consider this thought: God has given us everything we need to experience God’s love in eternity, and the doorway to it is simply to believe in Jesus Christ.