What does every believer have to understand about the Bible and faith?
Every believer must understand that what the Bible says is true and must take it by faith, not by feeling or emotion. Emotions are valid only to a point; they can never replace good biblical doctrine. Even when feelings disagree, God's Word establishes the believer's position in Christ.
Les explains that all these things are primarily directed to understanding our position in Christ. The Jew knew covenant relationship and the promises God made to the forefathers, but knew nothing of a position in Christ. Even today it is hard to comprehend, but we take these things by faith. Les says he does not feel like he is in Christ in heaven, but knows he is because the Word says he is. This is where every believer has to come to understand that what the Bible says is true, and we take it by faith. We do not necessarily feel it; emotions are not dealt with. Emotions are fine up to a point, but they can never take the place of good biblical doctrine. So even though we may not feel like it, on the basis of God's Word, we are in Christ, in the heavenlies, part of everything God has been building since He began with Adam in Genesis. Ephesians 1 continues this, showing He has already predestinated us into that position—adoption in verse 5—placing us positionally as children by Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure of His will.