From: The Handbook of Bible Application
What kind of believing does God expect?
BIBLE READING: Romans 10:5-13
KEY BIBLE VERSE: If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9 , niv)
Believing is a confession from the heart. Have you ever been asked, “How do I become a Christian?” These verses give you the beautiful answer—salvation is as close as your own mouth and heart. People think it must be a complicated process, but it is not. If we believe in our heart and say with our mouth that Christ is the risen Lord, we will be saved.
What kind of believing does God reject?
BIBLE READING: James 2:14-24
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Are there still some among you who hold that “only believing” is enough? Believing in one God? Well, remember that the demons believe this too—so strongly that they tremble in terror! (James 2:19 , tlb)
It is not enough to believe God exists. At first glance, these verses seem to contradict Romans 3:28 , “We are saved by faith in Christ and not by the good things we do.” Deeper investigation, however, shows that the teachings of James and Paul are not at odds. While it is true that our good deeds can never earn salvation, true faith always results in a changed life and good deeds. Paul speaks against those who try to be saved by deeds instead of true faith; James speaks against those who confuse mere intellectual assent with true faith. After all, even demons know who Jesus is, but they don’t obey him. True faith involves a commitment of your whole self to God.
