Why is the difference between believing God and believing in God so critical?
The distinction is critical because believing in God only recognizes that He exists and is in control, while believing God means trusting what He has said. That trust produces faith. It is the difference between heaven and hell, as Abraham believed God rather than merely believing in God.
Les explains that at first glance the difference seems like just one little preposition, but it is all the difference in the world. He says it is the difference between heaven and hell because most of the world believes in God. A survey indicated eighty-some percent of American people believe in God and believe in prayer, but they know nothing of believing God. When a person believes in God, they merely recognize that He is up there, in control, or whatever. When a person believes God, they become a person of faith by taking what He has said and believing it. Abraham is the example: he did not believe in God; he believed God. When God said it, Abraham believed it. Les notes Abraham was a pagan and an idolater, which makes this amazing.