When believing isn’t enough

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“You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless.” (James 2:19-20 NLT)

Different kinds of believing

The Bible says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31). Yes, this is certainly true, but there are different kinds (and levels) of believing. For instance, you can believe that God exists, but this isn’t enough to receive salvation. The above passage tells us that demons believe this fact, yet they tremble in terror. Believing with faith is more than just intellectual knowledge, it’s something you do.

Active, not passive, belief

“Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.”

  • Declare with your mouth and believe in your heart

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Rom. 10:9 NIV)  

  • Good deeds follow believing 

In the passage at top, action is expressed by good deeds that follow one’s believing. “…faith without good deeds is useless.” (James 2:20). 

  • Changed heart with actions

“…Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount. Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house…” (Luke 19:8-9 NIV)

Warning: This doesn’t mean we can earn our salvation

Our belief and commitment to Jesus is reflected in the things we do. Our good deeds are evidence of our real and trusting faith.

 “For it is by grace [we] have been saved, through faith . . . not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).

Therefore…

“Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love” (1 Cor. 16:13-14 NLT).

Quote:

“Faith is something you do. It’s active, not passive. Real faith involves making a commitment to trust in Jesus.”– Rick Warren

Mike FrenchBible Promises