KBM Salvation And Belief

Today, we are going to continue our journey through the New Testament as we ask the all important question “What must one do to be saved.” In our last study we examined the importance that studying God’s word holds to one getting to know God and trust God (Romans 10:17). In this study and next week’s study I want us to focus on what God states in Hebrews 11:6.

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)

6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

And if you combine what we learned in the last podcast about how we gain faith from Romans 10:17 and how we only gain faith through studying God’s word we find a powerful combination here in these two passages.

In order for someone to be have faith, which we cannot please God without, we must not only study God’s word but also believe that the God of the bible is real or as the ESV put it “exists.”

We certainly cannot have faith in God i.e., trust in God if we don’t believe he exists. The first powerful step anyone will take is the step of realization that God is real.

John 3:18 NKJV

18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Now I want to take a moment to point out that belief in God is not the same as “faith in God.” They have the same root word but they are different. Belief is what is required to gain faith. As the Hebrew writer points out “belief in God” plus a trust in his promises is what creates faith.

How do we know this, well the demons believe in God but have not faith in him.

James 2:19 NKJV

19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!

Belief “should” get you to eternal life, but unless that belief is turned in to faith and then faithfulness it won’t.

John 3:16 (NKJV)

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Belief in God and even Christ grants us the “right to become children of God” but does not guarantee it.

John 1:12 (NKJV)

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

It is up to us to then grow that belief, through studying God’s word, into faith which we will discuss in greater detail in our next study.