Articles
“Is Believing on Christ Enough to Guarantee Salvation?”
“Is Believing on Christ Enough to Guarantee Salvation?”
Bob Oliver
I recently read the following: “We can believe in something but is that enough? James answers that question by saying “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder” (James 2:19) so if we say we believe, we can only say “congratulations, you’ve qualified to be a demon” for even they believe but that’s not saving faith or belief….” I believe that is a very astute comment. Certainly faith is essential to our salvation, for we read in Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
For our salvation, however, there must be something more than just “believing” on Christ. We might raise the question, “What does it mean to believe?” I am reminded of the chief priests that believed on Christ, but because of the Pharisees they would not confess Jesus lest they be put out of the synagogue. (John 12:42). Certainly this teaches that a willingness to confess that faith in Jesus is essential. In fact, Jesus said, “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:33).
What is missing in the minds of many is the command to obey Christ. Hebrews 5:9 tell us “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” This is plain. We must obey what Jesus and his apostles teach to find salvation. Most people believe that faith must be accompanied with repentance and confession, but they balk at baptism. Yet that is also a command of Jesus. Mark 16:16 finds Jesus saying, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Just realize, if a person does not believe he will not be baptized. Therefore, we have Jesus commanding baptism as a prerequisite to salvation. That is salvation by faith. We believe that Jesus will keep his promise to save us if we do what he commands.
