Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world. John 4:42 (NLT)
In this story, the woman is entrenched in a religious society (and she's not doing so well keeping up with everyone else). She understands the big topics of debate and is really good at deflecting any personal accountability by throwing the hot topics onto the table when things get too uncomfortable - too personal. Then, she encounters Jesus and experiences him for herself. She is moved by his presence and tells all the people she knows. They are invited to come and see for themselves. They do and as they spend time with Jesus, they personally experience him too.
Their faith is no longer because of what they heard. It is because of who they experienced. They are changed. How often do we do this? We may know how to provide all the right answers to the religious questions of our upbringing and we may look great on the outside but until we experience Jesus for ourselves, we will not be changed on the inside. Let's face it. Religion for religions sake is not fulfilling. But it doesn't have to be like that! Once you experience Jesus for yourself, personally, you will experience something unlike anything you've ever known. You will become undone.
I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. Job 42:5 (NLT)