Christians: Do you think, feel, believe, or know that the gospel of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is true

Question

-
Before answering “all of the above” haphazardly, would you lend me your ear?

Now that we live in a pluralistic society, in which truth is considered subjective and morality is relative, your “thoughts”, “feelings”, and “beliefs” have become meaningless.

More than meaningless: in a very subtle way, by saying that you “think”, “feel”, or “believe” something to be true you are validating other religions as true (Jesus is not the only way to Heaven) and Christianity as potentially false (Jesus is not Lord).

-
Explanation:
Which do you say:
1) “I think 2+2 is 4”
2) “I feel that 2+2 is 4”
3) “I believe that 2+2 is 4”
Or do you say:
4) “2+2 is 4”

Nowadays, the first 3 imply doubt, and subtly (or not so subtly) suggest that you *might* be wrong.

It used to be that saying “I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord” meant something, and although you may mean “Jesus Christ is Lord” – our society hears: “It is OK for you not to believe this, but I believe this.”

Furthermore, if you don’t know it to be true, but only “believe” it to be true - such “belief” is not saving faith, and you stand on extremely thin and dangerous ice. In fact, such “belief” is worse than the dead faith (without works) that James speaks about. For the demons more than “believe” that God exists, they “know” it. They just don’t trust in Him and His Son Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior (with living faith that produces good works).
-

Eternal life is not to think, feel, or believe in the only true God, and Jesus Christ.
Eternal life is to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. (John 17:3)

So in light of this, my original question:
Do you think, feel, believe, or know that the gospel of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is true?

-

Answer 1

Even after reading your valid points about the difference between thinking, feeling, believing, and knowing, I still have to choose all of the above. I agree that saying, "I think/feel/believe" suggests a level of uncertainty that can validate other beliefs, however, I think I interpreted your original question a bit differently.

I think that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. Yes, saying "I think" could suggest uncertainty...but it also suggests that my conclusion derived from the process of critical thinking...from a rational evaluation of the message (and related evidence). In my life, I've certainly spent a lot of time thinking about the gospel...trying to rationalize the message. At first, all this thinking led me to many incorrect conclusions but eventually, with a LOT of help from God, thinking became an asset not a liability for my faith. Critical analysis and thinking has led me to truths in the gospel I couldn't have discovered otherwise.

I feel the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. Yes, saying, "I feel" something suggests uncertainty...it suggests that the conclusion is based on perception rather than reality and that's certainly true. However, God designed us to be strongly influenced by our feelings and I believe God uses our feelings to communicate the truth of his message. In Phil. 4:7, Paul talks about "the peace of God, that passes all understanding...". I can think of numerous occasions when God used the feeling of peace in my spirit (or the lack thereof) to reveal the truth of something that thinking had originally led me to reject.

I believe the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. Yes, saying, "I believe" suggests uncertainy...it suggests that my beliefs are only relevant to me (and I agree with that suggestion). However, believing something also suggests that sometimes the truth is beyond our understanding or our perception. Saying that I believe the gospel is true acknowledges that I can't possibly know the mind of God or the details of his plan ("For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom..." 1 Cor 1:25).

I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I may sometimes doubt my own ability to live up to that gospel, I may doubt my own understanding or interpretation of that gospel...but I have no doubt that the gospel is true. Through the gospel, I know Jesus...but I don't believe I know (or ever could know) everything about him.

The way I see it, thinking, feeling, and believing can all serve at the basis for the statement that "I know the gospel of Jesus is true"...as such, all could be interpreted as saying the same thing! The problem is that while we know the truth at the moment we accept it as the truth, bringing our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs (and consequently, our actions) into alignment with that knowledge takes years (a lifetime actually). This may be the essence of what it means to become spiritually "mature" (and later "wise").

Pick up your cross and follow me doesn't suggest the end of the journey but the beginning...perhaps a lot of that cross is the burden of our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs and the struggle to carry them in the right direction while they clamour to go another way!

Answer 2

Personally, I'm going to go all of them. I know you may think I contradicted myself by saying so, but I still stand by my answer because, though you are correct when talking about how James wrote that knowing is the "saving faith," everyone will have their doubts. The important thing is that we don't let these doubts take over our faith completely, yet we learn from them to become stronger. After all, thinking and believing the Gospel is true allows you to strengthen your faith so you may know God, and thus, know the Gospel is true.

I'm not sure what you mean when you say feel, but I interpret the term to mean you can feel God working in your life. You can feel the personal connection that you have with God. This feeling that you have is a reassurance so that you can know the Gospel is true.

So I guess in summary of my answer, you have THINK, FEEL, and BELIEVE that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true to have a strong faith and relationship with God before you can KNOW that it is true.

Here is another question that I answered that might help clear up my answer:

Answer 3

i know that Jesus exist. I know he died on the cross for our sins. and how you may ask do i know this? no im not one of those people who has had an angel come to me and tell to do something. i have never heard audibly the Lords voice. its just a feeling you cant explain. a joy you cant hide. a peace you cant live without. its a leap of faith. a stretch of hope. its something that once you put you're guard down and say yeah i think i will give the fact that God may actually exist a chance is the only way you will ever know that God actually does exist. people will never know whether God exist and always say that Christians do not obtain enough proof to prove this fact because non believers have never had the feeling a Christian has. Never layed down on their hands and knees and cried so hard because you were being humbled by the Great I AM! its just something you have to experience in order to know what i am talking about. and im not a person that is going to shove my religion down someones throat. but God DOES EXIST! and his son Jesus IS THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIGHT AND NO MAN WILL COME TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM! so think bout it and give it a chance one day!

Answer 4

How could someone not just interpret that answer as "Well, that arrogant Christian thinks, or believes that he "knows?"
To say that you "know" is implying that they "do not know"
Doesn't this seem a bit intolerant to you?
If a different faith presented their thoughts that way, I would assume that they have a very intolerant practice. It would turn me away from their faith. Good Job, I hate Christians now.
Point is, just be careful how you come across with this stuff.

To quote you " So in light of this, my original question" As if you have already won some prize for being such a well thought and spoken little Christian. Don't do this, please. Really, when I read this it sounded like TBN dude. If it is people like me that you are trying to reach, then you have FAILED.

Work for rewards that you will receive in Heaven, I think you have already received your reward for posting that blog.
And why don't you use YHWH or LORD when using it as Jesus Christ is....?

Answer 5

I know it to be true, therefore I believe it to be true also, but it is not a kind of belief that indicates doubt. If my child explains to me how the vase got broken, and I say, "Okay I believe you." I am not saying, "I sort of think you are telling the truth, and will assume so until I find out differently." Instead I am saying, "I have no doubt that you are telling me the truth."
As for feelings, they may come and go and are prone to change due to hormones, how well I've been sleeping, and all sorts of things, and thoughts can be effected by feelings

Answer 6

I know it is true
What I feel is irrelevant
What I think matters even less

I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true

I know all but one of the Apostles died violent deaths following Him, after they turned from Him following His death but turned back after meeting with Him resurrected

I know the Jews rejected Him so He went to the Apostle Paul to be our Apostle.

I know what Paul taught was what Jesus told Him and it is a different message from what Jesus gave the Jews.

I know that what Jesus told Paul to tell us is the truth on how we are to live to please God and how to be saved.

I know especially that I was not and am not worthy of this salvation.

I know also that to "know" anything today is not P.C.but like I said what I know is not based on what I or anyone else wants, needs or feels.

It is the truth

Answer 7

I know that the gospel of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is true!

I have denied my Lord before with weak language and inaction, even more praise be His grace!

Answer 8

The gospel of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is *absolutely* true! And those who do *not* claim the shed blood of Jesus as having washed away their sins do *not* know Him as their personal Lord and Savior! ". . . without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness." Heb 9:22b(NIV)

Answer 9

Everyone who believes on the name of Jesus will be saved- so it starts as belief, but the longer I have been a Christian the more I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES. I know His grace- as Paul said, "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection"

Answer 10

I learned years ago to say "I believe" or "I think". I was told by a lawyer to always do this. If you don't you are making a statement of fact and it can be used against you in court.
I do the same sometimes when I write about my faith. It is personal. If I say something as fact and I am wrong I would feel bad. I don't feel comfortable speaking for God. I try to only speak what I think feel and believe.