Marcus Mumford wouldn’t call himself a Christian. At least he declined to do so during a Rolling Stone magazine interview. In that conversation, the award-winning songwriter and musician said that the word Christian is linked with religious images he doesn’t like. He compared himself to people who claim to love Christ and say that Jesus is awesome, but who are not Christians.
A writer once penned, “Any belief in Jesus Christ—however small—is far better than any belief about Him.” Nicodemus, the Jewish teacher who interviewed Jesus, clearly knew facts about Him. He correctly identified Jesus as a teacher, and said, “Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you” (John 3:2).
Jesus responded, “Unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3). In other words, it’s not possible to gain admission to heaven by simply knowing the right facts about Christ. Even Satan’s henchmen correctly identified Him as the Son of God! (Luke 4:41).
According to Jesus, true salvation involves an encounter with the Holy Spirit: “The Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life” (John 3:6). And, the Bible says, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
Genuine faith in Christ means having a relationship with Him, not simply admiring Him. With this relationship comes the assurance that Jesus hears and responds to our prayers. He accepts our praises, empowers us to resist temptation, and provides eternal life. True believers in Jesus have a spiritual connection with Him. They have a “faith . . . far more precious than mere gold” (1 Peter 1:7).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Samuel 17:32-58
More:
Read Titus 3:4-6 to learn more about salvation through Christ. Read John 7:40-52 and John 19:38-39 to see how Nicodemus was involved with Jesus after his first encounter.
Next:
How might you explain the difference between knowing about Jesus and believing in Him? If someone asked you how to establish a relationship with Christ, what would you say?
Gary Shultz on March 28, 2015 at 7:00 am
Oh no, exposing the soft underside of Christianity, so called. I think it good to know something about what you may be choosing to do, knowing about Jesus is important to how may one chose. What you chose to do with your findings is critical. If you do not humbly make the choice to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior you will choke at the door of facts. Sadly many do. To experience what Jesus has intended a commitment is required and faith is born, once placed into the family, by choice, the relationship has no limits and you begin to experience newness you have never known. Thanks, I liked the assignment. I hope each person will add more and different color to the explanation.
Winn Collier on April 4, 2015 at 8:40 pm
These kind of interviews are tricky, I think.