"It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world."
John 4:42

Jesus had walked into Sychar, a Samarian town. He went to a well because he was "wearied...from his journey" to grab a drink. A Samaritan woman walks up to draw water, Jesus talks to her, ends up revealing himself as the Messiah by telling her "all that [she] ever did." She goes and tells all the town people what happened, and "many...from the town believed in him because of the woman's testimony." So then they go to Jesus and "asked him to stay with them." Jesus obliged and ended up chillin' out with the town's people for 2 days. As a result of him hanging out and teahing, "many more believed because of his word." And then "they said to the woman, 'It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.'"

All that to pose this question: why do you believe? Do you believe because you heard a pastor preach about Christ? Do you believe because your parents have told you to and raised you in the faith? Or do you believe because our culture is saturated with supposed Christians and thus it's just what people do around here?

Why do you believe?

It is my prayer that more and more people would believe, like the town's people, not because they have heard someone else testify about Christ, but because they have heard him speak into their hearts and lives personally; because they've had a true encounter with this Christ.

Search your heart and see why it is that you believe. If it is not because you've heard from Christ himself, pray that you do. James said "you have not because you ask not." Don't go on not having a word from the Lord because you refuse to ask.

Ask. Receive. Believe. Amen.