In reading the Scriptures it is vitally important that we make sure that we are actually reading the Scriptures, and not reading what we think the Bible says. Out of the 7 times that we find the phrase “whoever believes”, 4 of them are found in the writings of John (John 3:15,16, 12:46; 1 John 5:1). However, in this day and age of all inclusiveness, we must be sure to point out that John is not making a generic statement that “whoever believes in God” is a child of God. Not at all. Simply believing in a God only proves that one is not a fool (Psalm 14:1, 53:1). Even the demons believe in God or a Supreme Being (James 2:19).
The Scriptures clearly teach that whoever believes must believe either in Jesus Christ or upon Jesus Christ as He is revealed in the totality of Scripture (John 5:39; Hebrews 10:7). Even Jesus Himself warned us about false Christs (Matthew 24:5). The belief in Jesus, however, is more than intellectual; it is a supernatural work of God’s Spirit in the heart of man (John 1:12,13).
There is only one Jesus who can save a person from their sin (Matthew 1:21) and remove the wrath of God from them (1 Thessalonians 1:10), and that is the Jesus who is fully God and fully man (1 Timothy 3:16). John tells us that whoever believes that this Jesus is The Christ, that person is born of God (1 John 5:1). This of course is what is known in Scripture as the new birth (John 3:1-7). A theological term that is used for the new birth is regeneration (Titus 3:5). When the gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), and a person repents and believes in The Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38) because The Holy Spirit convicts that person of their sin and need of God’s righteousness (John 16:8-11), that person is born again and sealed with The Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13,14). That new birth is the beginning of a new life that will continue throughout eternity (John 3:15,16).
Have you trusted in the saving work of The Lord Jesus Christ and been born of God? Are you tired of religion but hungry for God? The Father invites you to come to His Son Jesus today and drink of the water of life freely (Revelation 21:6).
