Unbelieving Believers?

Rheinhard Bonnke

There are people we could describe as "unbelieving believers." They are sound in doctrine but have no trust. They preach what they call the gospel, but it is lifeless, just a statement of their accepted view. When a man describes the beauty of a lovely girl, he can do so quite clinically. But if he is in love with her, then he makes her sound like a very alive person, worthy of drawing him into a relationship.

Preaching must in itself be a believing act, fully reliant on God. The truth of Christ is the seed we must sow. But without faith it is seed that has never been fertilized. The gospel won't germinate, spring up, blossom or produce fruit unless it is preached with faith. To hold fast to the faith once delivered to the saints (see Jude 3) is very important, but it is not sufficient. Faith is fruitful, life generating - "by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:31). It is a vibrant, living process. You are believing, you are receiving, you are knowing, you are seeing, you are abiding in Him. Praise God!