Is Belief enough?

Memorial Day

John 15:13 NASB95

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

Playing with Nora

Some time back we were playing with our Grand Daughter, Nora. She was standing on the couch and would fall back and we would catch her. It was so funny, because every time she would fall back she did it with such complete abandon.

Trust fall: team building exercise to build on trust of others.

Trust fall fail. Video of young girls and one girl closed her eyes and fell forward.

Luke 18:17 NASB95

“Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

Luke

Understand, there is a difference between belief in Christ and faith in christ.

Acts 8:4–24 NASB95

Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them. The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing. For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was much rejoicing in that city. Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God.” And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts. But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike. Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed. Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! “You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. “Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. “For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.” But Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

As I studied this passage, I just knew I had to be missing something. Maybe the word they used for belief was different here than anywhere else the Word. It wan’t so. Then bible verses started coming to me like:

James 2:19 NASB95

You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

The difference is the childlike faith we accept that which we believe.

See, while the Bible uses these words interchangeably, the context in which they are used, makes all the difference.

Saving Faith carries the attributes of:

Belief, but with it ads Action, and confidence.

Easy believism vs. Saving Faith

I don’t like the derogatory term “Easy Believism” because it makes is sound like you have to work hard for your salvation, But nothing could be further from the truth.

Easy believism says that mere intellectual assent is enough to be saved. That you can say a prayer, join a church and your saved.

Points of agreement

Christ died for our sins.

Justified by faith alone.

Sinners cannot earn/buy divine favor.

God requires no pre-salvation reformation and believers are saved before faith produces and righteous works.

Eternal life is a gift from God.

Christians can and do sin.

Here is where we differ. The Methodist Church recently had some backlash because in a 6 to 3 vote decided not to consecrate a openly gay Pastor woman who is married to another woman.

Saving Faith in Christ carries with it:

Repentance/ Unconditional surrender

2 Peter 3:9 NASB95

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

Romans 6:17–18 NASB95

But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

Knights templar example

Understanding that it is all Him

Titus 3:5 NASB95

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

You don’t need to get cleaned up to come to Christ

Changes Lives

John 10:27 NASB95

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;

Philippians 1:6 NASB95

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:

The real test:

Our behavior is a indicator of our faith

1 John 2:3–4 NASB95

By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;

But....If a building is on fire and we meet a guy in the hall....

where are you?