What if the difference between heaven and hell isn’t about what you know, but about whether you will open the door?
It’s undeniable that belief is at the heart of Christianity. A short look at the words of Jesus and his followers in the New Testament makes that fact indisputable:
· But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God… (John 1:12)
· For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
· Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. (John 14:1)
· Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Romans 10:9-10)
· And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:15-16)
· And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
· And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." (Acts 16:31)
Over and over again belief is directly connected to us becoming children of God, being given eternal life, being saved, and pleasing God.
But that raises an important question: what is belief? Most of us, when we think of belief, we think of it as accepting something as true. Merriam Webster offers three definitions of belief. The second and third definitions reinforce our instinct: (2) “something that is accepted, considered to be true, or held as an opinion.” (3) “conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or phenomenon especially when based on examination of evidence.” These definitions reinforce our perception that belief is about accepting a truth claim.
But if that is all belief is, then Christianity can feel troubling. Is eternity really determined by whether you get the right answer? In their now viral interview with apologist Wesley Huff, the agnostic hosts on the Flagrant podcast asked a question that many have. “Why wouldn’t Jesus just die for those who don’t believe him, too?”
If his sacrifice could atone for everyone’s sin, isn’t Jesus being arbitrary or even petty to have it merely atone for the sins of those who believe? Does salvation hinge on passing the right theological exam?
No, it isn’t. We’ve misunderstood a biblical definition of belief.
Biblical belief is not about mere agreement, it’s about trust. Merriam Webster’s first definition nails what the biblical writers are speaking of when they talk about belief, “a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing.” Belief isn’t about knowing something about Jesus, but entrusting ourselves to him.
One of the most powerful pictures of believing in Jesus comes from an unexpected place. In the book of Revelation, Jesus is rebuking the seven churches. He comes to the church of Laodicea, a church who he spits out of his mouth for being “lukewarm,” and he invites them into vibrant faith, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me” (Rev. 3:20). It’s a beautiful picture that has lasted for generations, but it is far more than meets the eye. Jesus is alluding to a passage from the Song of Solomon where the groom knocks on his bride’s door. She recounts the late night romantic bidding:
I slept, but my heart was awake.
A sound! My beloved is knocking.
“Open to me, my sister, my love,
my dove, my perfect one… (Song of Solomon 5:2)
The picture that Jesus wants the Laodiceans see isn’t of him as a political solicitor knocking on their doors for a signature, but as a lover longing to be welcomed in.
Do you see how different this picture is than mere intellectual assent? The question isn’t whether you believe in some facts about Jesus, but whether you will trust him enough to let him in.
Once we change our understanding of belief, so much falls into place. Consider the some of the other biblical language for our relationship with Jesus.
Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me” (Jn 10:14). Those who follow Jesus know his voice and trust his leadership.
Jesus tells us that he is the vine and we are the branches (Jn 15:1-2). He say tell us to “Abide in me and I in you” (Jn 15:4). We, the branch draw life from Jesus, the vine.
Jesus tells us that we are not merely servants of him, but friends (Jn 15:13-15). He has shared with us his plans and his love.
Jesus calls his followers to eat his flesh and drink his blood (Jn 6:53-56). He wasn’t building a following, he wanted those who called on his name to be radically dependent on him.
Consider how different this is than mere assent. Jesus invites us into:
Mutuality → “I in you, you in me”
Closeness → abiding and indwelling
Affection → shepherd, friend, and bridegroom
Participation → sharing life
Jesus does not merely invite us to understand him, but to dwell with him, feed on him, walk with him, and love him. God is not a politician trying to nab a few more who will vote for Proposition 777: “Jesus is the son of God.” God is the pursuing lover. He is more like Lloyd Dabler (John Cusack) on the front lawn with a boombox lifted overhead playing “In Your Eyes,” hoping you’ll come to the window.
Will you open the door?
You may also appreciate:
How Changing Your View of Heaven Changes the Way You Live Today
Photo by Pedro Ramos on Unsplash