Galatians 3:22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Since mere belief is not enough to overcome desire, then how does faith in Christ come about by belief?

There is not just one thing that brings faith in Christ to the point that a single belief is sufficient enough to invoke the will of God to obtain the promise of eternal life.

Do you believe in God?

Do you believe that God sent His Son into the world to save us from sin?

Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?

Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God?

Do you believe that His sacrifice was necessary to satisfy God’s sense of justice?

Do you believe that Jesus Christ rose from the grave?

Do you believe Jesus Christ ascended to the Right Hand Throne of God?

Do you think that believing all that is enough to obtain eternal life?

Would you believe me if I said that if your answer to all those questions is yes, your belief is incomplete?

• Isaiah 48:8 You have never heard, you have never known, from of old your ear has not been opened. For I knew that you would surely deal treacherously, and that from before birth you were called a rebel.
• Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
• Matthew 7:23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

It all begins with accepting that we were born in rebellion against God. Repenting of living a life of rebellion must come first. Secondly, knowing He is Lord is insufficient to establish the faith required to obtain a relationship in which Jesus will declare to the Father, “This one I know.”

Revelation 3:20 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.

Belief may allow us to hear the Lord knocking at the door of our hearts by only faith will allow us to open that door and let Him in so that we can have that relationship. Faith is the key that unlocks the door to our hearts. Does faith tell you that this Jesus is the Son of Man spoken of by Daniel who has come to have dominion and authority over your life? If your answer is yes, open up your heart and let Him in, by faith.

Matthew 2 English Standard Version

The Visit of the Wise Men

2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Once we begin to invoke the bible as being our source of information, both prophecies and actions and reactions can be measured as evidence. We should consider the reactions of leaders of that time, their fears and actions are evidence. What did Herod do?

Matthew 2:16

Herod Kills the Children

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.

Herod acted in a manner to hold onto his power and authority.

Matthew 26:14-15 English Standard Version

Judas to Betray Jesus

14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.

Actions indicate intent. Judas knew what the chief priest wanted. They paid him off. They wanted to maintain power and authority.

If they went so far to maintain power and authority, what does that say about their belief about Daniel’s prophecy concerning the Son of Man?

Belief did not overrule desire. It takes more than belief to overrule desire, it takes faith.