Imagine Saint Peter is the conductor collecting the tickets for the train leaving for heaven.  You have been waiting in the queue for what seems like ages to hand him your ticket.  When you finally get up to him and hand him your ticket, he says, "This is a fake.  You can't board the train." 

 

You've heard it said that if you believe in Jesus you will be saved.  In the English translation of the original Greek language, the word "believe" is used for the word "pistis" (or forms of the word pistis, such as pisteuo). 

 

Many commonly think if they simply believe in Jesus that they are saved.  But, is that what the word pistis really means?

 

Strong's definition of pistis: faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.

Pistis conveys much more than mere knowledge.  Mere intellectual belief in Jesus is not a ticket to heaven.  It's a cheap fake!

 

Too many who sit in the pews (and stand in the pulpits) have merely submitted to intellectual belief in Jesus.  It's easy to have such belief... when things are going well.  There's gas in the car, heat in your home, food on the table, relatively good health, and a stable income to keep providing those things. 

 

I think that perhaps as the time of Jesus's return draws near, we might be tested more and more.  The unbelievers may be feasting and so forth, but "believers" may be tested.  I don't mean the tribulation.  Look around you.  People are hurting!  This is a time... right NOW... for FAITH, BELIEF, TRUST, CONFIDENCE, FIDELITY, and FAITHFULNESS!  Jesus is coming soon.  He is even right at the door.

 

The ticket we need to board the train can't be a cheap fake.  The ticket we need is the expensive one purchased with the blood of Jesus.  Sometimes we have to carry that ticket down some mighty rough roads before we get to the station.  But now is not the time to give up.

 

I think I can hear the train whistle now.  Make sure you have the right ticket.

 

YBIC

Bruce Baber