I’ve heard many
times in referencing to one’s Christian
commitment as to whether they were a believer. I
believe it’s very important to take a close look
at the significance of “believing in” the gospel
of Christ. The bible does instill the importance
of believing but it also points that believing
alone does not constitute salvation.
KJ James 2:19. Thou
believest that there is one God; thou doest
well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Another good example is this man, Simon. In
reading Acts 8:13 to verse 20 we find that Simon
was a believer but we also see that Peter
informed him that he was going to “perish with
his money” for he thought that the gift of God
could be purchased with money!
Acts 8:13. Then Simon
himself also believed; and when he was baptized
he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing
the miracles and signs which were done. 14. Now
when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard
that Samaria had received the word of God, they
sent Peter and John to them, 15. who, when they
had come down, prayed for them that they might
receive the Holy Spirit. 16. For as yet He had
fallen upon none of them. They had only been
baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17. Then
they laid hands on them, and they received the
Holy Spirit. 18. Now when Simon saw that through
the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy
Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19.
saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on
whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.''
20. But Peter said to him, "Your money perish
with you, because you thought that the gift of
God could be purchased with money!
Notice that the
devils believe there is “one God”. Simon
believed, in verse 12, the things concerning the
kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. But
neither example points to believing “in” Jesus.
In the following Scripture Jesus teaches the
significance of believing “in”.
John 3:14. "And as
Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,
even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15.
"that whoever believes in Him should not
perish but have eternal life. 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. 17. "For
God did not send His Son into the world to
condemn the world, but that the world through
Him might be saved. 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. 19. "And this is the condemnation,
that the light has come into the world, and men
loved darkness rather than light, because their
deeds were evil. 20. "For everyone practicing
evil hates the light and does not come to the
light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21.
"But he who does the truth comes to the light,
that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they
have been done in God.''
In verse 21 Jesus identifies those that “believes
in” as to those that
does the truth.
Truth is only given by the Holy Spirit
(John 14: 16-17) and
those that do the truth are those that are
obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit,
showing their faith in God. Believing in
something has a much deeper meaning than just
believing. Believing “in” is the understanding
to commitment. Just believing requires no
commitment. Believing is the prelude to
believing “in” but believing “in” is where we
find the gifts of God through Christ Jesus, our
Lord. The apostle Paul writes about the
simplicity that is in Christ in 2 Corinthians
11:3. And it is, for those that will receive
Christ, for it’s freely given to all that has an
open heart for truth. For those that will accept
and commit to the simplistic gospel of Christ
will find the greatest treasure ever to be
found, the presence of Christ to salvation! The
presence of Christ brings truth, understanding
and spiritual strength, accordingly to one’s
faith. Those that believe
in Him, the Lord Jesus, will find that
overflowing river of knowledge in the deep
things of God giving them spiritual direction
through this sin corrupted world.
Everyday brings
new awakenings and victory over sinful flesh. In
finding our daily victory over the desires of
our sinful flesh is where the Son of God is
manifested in those that have Christ, where
their obedience to Christ is destroying the
works of the Devil in their daily lives as
described by the apostle John in the following
Scripture.
1 John 3:8. He who
sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned
from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of
God was manifested, that He might destroy the
works of the devil. 9. Whoever has been born of
God does not sin, for His seed remains in him;
and he cannot sin, because he has been born of
God. 10. In this the children of God and the
children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does
not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is
he who does not love his brother.
Consider the depth of what John is saying …“Whoever
does not practice righteousness is not of God”.
This statement includes not only those that are
not believers but also those that believe but do
not commit to the righteousness of God that’s
revealed through the Holy Spirit. And as Jesus
said, "But he who does the
truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be
clearly seen, that they have been done in God.''
Those that do the truth are those that “believe
in” and are obedient to the anointing of Christ.
Consider this, would it be righteous for God to
send all the unbelievers to Hell and save all
the believers regardless if they’re committed or
not to God? Should someone that has no use for
God but believes, reap eternal life with the
rest of the saints vs. one that does not
believe. Would God place that much significance
to only believing, sending one to Hell for not
believing and save the other for simply
believing but living the same exact lifestyle as
the unbeliever? I don’t think so! That’s why
Jesus said "But he who
does the truth comes to the light, that his
deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been
done in God.''
Believing alone
will not save anyone but “believing in” is where
salvation will be found and secure. It is my
belief that the reason we are given life in this
world is to have the opportunity to taste the
heavenly calling and for those that make that
choice with a willing heart will not only be led
in this life but will continue being led by the
Holy Spirit through out eternity. Jesus promised
in John 14:16 that the helper, the Holy Spirit
is given “forever”. Not just for this life but
“forever” to include eternal life. Serving God
is a choice. God’s commandment to love is also a
choice. And so is God’s offer for eternal life.
Not everyone will find that desire to live in
God’s righteousness. Today, we have the most
wonderful opportunity to experience that part of
eternity through the Holy Spirit. I sincerely
believe that those that do not find the joy and
comfort of submitting to God’s will in this life
will never find eternal life no matter how much
they believe. Believing “in” is accepting the
whole package; line, hook and sinker!
Jesus said: Matthew 7:21.
"Not everyone who says to
Me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of
heaven, but he who does the will of My
Father in heaven.
The apostle Paul wrote: Romans 1:16.
For I am not ashamed of
the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of
God to salvation for everyone who
believes, for the Jew first and also for the
Greek. 17. For in it the righteousness of God is
revealed from faith to faith; as it is written,
"The just shall live by faith.''
For those that commit to Christ, and are
obedient, the works of God are manifested
through them as a light that shines in a dark
place. For "The just shall live by faith.'' will
be witnessed by all.
Religious beliefs have been packaged in many
differing doctrines. And all doctrines are
worshiped in vain if they are not aligned with
God’s “Way” of salvation. Matthew 15:8.
`These
people draw near to Me with their mouth, and
honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far
from Me. 9. And in vain they worship Me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'
''
Matthew 24:4.
And Jesus answered and
said to them: "Take
heed that no one deceives you.”
Our guarantee of
not being deceived, is to place our trust in the
word of God that is found in our heart which is
given by God’s Holy Spirit. For the teachings
and doctrines of man opens the doors, wide open,
to deception.
Jeremiah 17:5. Thus says
the Lord: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man
and makes flesh his strength, whose heart
departs from the Lord.
The apostle Paul
warned about the deception that would be taught
by those appearing godly but were actually
ministers of Satan.
2 Corinthians
11:12. But what I do, I
will also continue to do, that I may cut off the
opportunity from those who desire an opportunity
to be regarded just as we are in the things of
which they boast. 13. For such are false
apostles, deceitful workers, transforming
themselves into apostles of Christ. 14. And no
wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself
into an angel of light. 15. Therefore it is no
great thing if his ministers also transform
themselves into ministers of righteousness,
whose end will be according to their works.
I sincerely
believe that the apostle Paul in the verses
above was warning everyone that Satan’s
ministers are going to appear Godly. He said
these ministers are going to have the desire to
be regarded just as the apostle Paul was in the
things of which they boast. Many of these
ministers of Satan are going to hold credentials
showing they’re trustworthy but their end will
be according to their works. Jesus warned
“Take heed that no one
deceives you.” Therefore sincerely seek
the Lord and all His truths that are given
through the anointing of Christ, closing all the
doors of deception.
Double Minded - No
Anointing
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