Hi Everyone,

Did you ever stop to thing about the fact that God has faith in you?  Rob Bell, in his book "Velvet Elvis", writes "I have been told that I need to believe in Jesus.  Which is a good thing.  But what I am learning is that Jesus believes in me.  I have been told that I need to have faith in God.  Which is a good thing.  But what I am learning is that God has faith in me."

This is a nice sentiment, but the fact that Rob Bell wrote it doesn't necessarily make it true.  However, look what the scriptures have to say.

• John 14:12.  "I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works ..."
• Ephesians 2:10.  "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
• 2 Peter 1:3.  "By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.  We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence."
• Matthew 4:19.  "Jesus called out to them, "Come, follow me ...."

That last one may seem like it has little to with Christ's faith in us.  But that is because we do not read it with Jewish eyes.  You see, the phrase "Come, follow me."  was a very important and meaningful phrase for young Jewish men.  When someone wanted to progress in his studies of the Torah and Talmud, they would petition a Teacher or Rabbi to become their disciple.  The Rabbi would extensively question the applicant, as well as examine his background and his past.  The Rabbi would only accept applicants whom he believed had the ability to become like him, think like he thought and do the things that he did.  His time was too precious and life was too short to invest in those whom he believed could not make it.  If the Rabbi rejected the applicant, he would tell the young man to "Go home and continue learning the family business".  But if the rabbi believed that this person did have what it takes, he would say, "Come, follow me."