Belief

What does "belief" mean? we say we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ - what does that mean?

There are some teachers out there, who are telling you in books and on the internet, that just believing in the Lord Jesus Christ will not save you. They make a lot of sense, and a lot of people are turning to these books. I'd mention famous names like Arthur Pink so you could be warned... but I won't.

We need to understand what God has to say on this subject. I can say what I like, and believe me I can write a good argument for or against anything. But if we are Christians, we need to rely on the word of God to settle all issues.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (KJV)

To believe in the original Greek is Pistos. The word means to trust... to believe... to put your faith in. It means to entrust your soul to the Lord Jesus Christ. Can you save yourself? I think we'd all agree that the answer to that is no way.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Eph 2:8-10 (KJV)

So are you entrusting yourself to save your soul from Hell? The answer should be, again, no! You are trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ to save you!

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Acts 16:31 (KJV)

Now, to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, to put your faith in Him and trust Him to save you... is accompanied by repentance. You cannot believe in the Lord Jesus Christ without repenting. They come hand in hand. Lord, I'm a sinner and deserve only Hell for my sins.

When you say that, you're implying that you're turning from that old sinful lifestyle. Sure, we'll lose our way. Sure, we'll get caught up in sin. That's what the Bible calls the "sin that so easily besets us". That's why Paul said, "What I want to do, I do not. What I want not to do, I do! Wretched man that I am!" And what did Paul say was his solution to this dilemna?

I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 7:25 (KJV)

The problem is, is so many people confuse Salvation, with Sanctification. Salvation is being saved from an eternity in Hell. Sanctification is growing as a believer, beginning to lead a Holy life. There is nothing in the Bible requiring you to show all the advanced fruits of the spirit the moment you are saved! If you could do that, you wouldn't need saving!

A lot of what you hear confused and well meaning teachers tell you, "It says you cannot put your hand to the plow and look back!" Are missing the simplicity of the Gospel! The Gospel is so simple! Repent of your sins - a change of mind leading to a change of actions - and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ - trust Him to save you from Hell-and you will be saved!

Now, it's true - we're supposed to go on from there, to maturity in the faith, to growing as Christians. But don't get them confused. You were SAVED OUT OF Hell and damnation, and you are SAVED UNTO a holy lifestyle. What you are SAVED UNTO does not affect how you are SAVED.

To believe is to believe! If you believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is God, and raised from the dead, and you believe He has the power and the will to take away your sins - you are Saved!

But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 2 Thess 2:13-15 (KJV)

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thess 4:14-18 (KJV)