Do You Believe...
With All Your Heart?

By Bryan Gibson

When the Ethiopian treasurer asked Philip, “What hinders me from being baptized?” Philip answered, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The treasurer then confessed his faith:  “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (Acts 8:36-37).

Why did the treasurer need to believe with all his heart? It’s really pretty simple. Whole-hearted belief is the only kind that produces conviction. One who believes with all his heart will act in harmony with his beliefs; one who believes half-heartedly will not—at least not consistently (see the rulers in John 12:42-43). The truth be told, half-hearted belief is really not belief at all. The treasurer believed with all his heart that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and so he was eager to be baptized for the remission of his sins (Acts 8:36-39).

Of course, there are other truths one must believe with all his heart. Let’s consider a few:

Do you believe with all your heart that what God has promised, He is able to perform? Abraham did. He was “fully convinced” that God would give them the child He promised, even though he was 100 years old and Sarah’s womb was dead (Romans 4:19-22). Do you have that kind of faith in the promises God has made to you? (Mark 11:24).

Do you believe with all your heart that God has revealed all truth in the Bible, that all Scripture is inspired of God? (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3; Jude 1:3). If you do, you will not add to, take from, or change the Scriptures in any way (Revelation 22:18-19). You will treat the words of the Bible with the greatest respect, because you know they came from God (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

Do you believe with all your heart that Jesus loved you and died for you? (Galatians 2:20). If you do, you will spend the rest of your life living for Him (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). A true believer is even willing to die for Jesus! (Acts 21:13).

Do you believe with all your heart that Jesus saves those who obey Him? (Hebrews 5:9). There’s one way to prove it—obey Him!

Do you believe with all your heart that one day you will stand before Jesus Christ, to be judged for what you’ve done in this life? (Acts 17:30-31; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10). If you do, we all know what you’re doing right now—preparing for that judgment.

Do you believe with all your heart that if you do not obey the gospel, you will be punished with everlasting destruction? (2 Thessalonians 1:8). If so, you will not delay in obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Do you obey the “first and great commandment”—“love the Lord your God with all your heart...”? (Matthew 22:37-38). There is no way you can—until you believe with all your heart.