We oftentimes believe but are we convinced?
G4100
πιστεύω
pisteúō; fut. pisteúsō, from pístis (G4102), faith. To believe, have faith in, trust. NT meanings:
(I) Particularly, to be firmly persuaded as to something, to believe
G4102
πίστις
pístis; gen. písteōs, fem. noun from peíthō (G3982), to win over, persuade. Faith. Subjectively meaning firm persuasion, conviction, belief in the truth, veracity, reality or faithfulness (though rare). Objectively meaning that which is believed, doctrine, the received articles of faith.
G3982
πείθω
peíthō; fut. peísō, aor. pass. epeísthēn, perf. pass. pépeismai, 2d perf. pépoitha. To persuade, particularly to move or affect by kind words or motives.
"(as it is written, "A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU") in the presence of Him whom he G4100believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist." (NASB)
"(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he G4100believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were." (KJV)
"That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, "I have made you the father of many nations." This happened because Abraham G4100believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing." (NLT)
"(as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"). He is our father in the presence of God whom he G4100believed — the God who makes the dead alive and summons the things that do not yet exist as though they already do." (NET)
I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, 'May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen. But you must really G4100believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.
(Mark 11:23 NLT)
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and G4100believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9 NLT)
We oftentimes believe but are we convinced? We say we believe but does our life, like Abraham, give credence to our words? We see that the object of our faith (The God who gives life to those who are dead) is the very reason that our faith lives! The very fact that He is, is the profundity upon which all creation rests. Where there is belief in Christ, there is life! Where there is unbelief, there is death!
him whom he believed — that is, “Thus Abraham, in the reckoning of Him whom he believed, is the father of us all, in order that all may be assured, that doing as he did, they shall be treated as he was.” (A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown)
He believed God's testimony, and looked for the performance of his promise, firmly hoping when the case seemed hopeless. It is weakness of faith, that makes a man lie poring on the difficulties in the way of a promise. Abraham took it not for a point that would admit of argument or debate. Unbelief is at the bottom of all our staggerings at God's promises. The strength of faith appeared in its victory over fears. God honors faith; and great faith honors God. It was imputed to him for righteousness. Faith is a grace that of all others gives glory to God. Faith clearly is the instrument by which we receive the righteousness of God, the redemption which is by Christ; and that which is the instrument whereby we take or receive it, cannot be the thing itself, nor can it be the gift thereby taken and received. Abraham's faith did not justify him by its own merit or value, but as giving him a part in Christ. (Mathew Henry's Concise Commentary)
Whom he believed: God who quickeneth. It is God himself that faith fastens upon: other foundation can no man lay. Now observe what in God Abraham's faith had an eye to that, certainly, which would be most likely to confirm his faith concerning the things promised (Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible)