Imagine booking a ticket to the sunny beaches of California, boarding the train, and settling in for a scenic adventure. You believe with all your heart that you’re heading to the West Coast. But when you step off the train, the air is sticky, the scenery is completely different, and you realize you’re actually in Galveston, Texas.
Your travel agent bought the wrong ticket. You had total sincerity, but you ended up in the wrong place.
A lot of people treat faith the same way. They know they’re supposed to “have faith,” but faith in what?
You can have all the enthusiasm and positive vibes you want, but if you get on the wrong train, you’re still going to end up at the wrong destination. The Bible doesn’t just tell us to have generic faith; it is hyper-specific about where that faith needs to be anchored.
The Destination Protocol
Romans 10:8–11 (NKJV) But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
Locking In the Target
Real, life-altering salvation requires a specific focus and a specific confession. It’s not a vague feeling. It comes down to two concrete things:
- The Confession: Verbally declaring that Jesus is Lord. That means declaring He is the boss, the master, and the ultimate authority in this universe and of your life.
- The Belief: Trusting completely that God the Father physically raised Him from the dead.
Jesus isn’t a ghost, and He isn’t just a metaphor living in our hearts. He is alive, breathing, and ruling right now.
Think about the original eyewitnesses. After the crucifixion, they went to the grave and were asked a blunt question: “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” The tomb was empty. For an entire month after His resurrection, Jesus walked, talked, ate, and laughed with His followers before sending them out on their mission.
It matters what you put your faith in. Sincerity won’t change your destination if you’re on the wrong tracks. Make sure you’re on the right train.
Yesterday I had a conversation with our Son about the car. He was incensed we would put our car he drives in the shop without providing another for his use. I tried to explain it was my job to administer our shared resources for the good of all — which means sometimes he has to wait and/or find alternatives to the places he wants to go.
Patrikin - Kinship through The Father 