Are you sure we just have to believe on Jesus and we are saved?

Question

James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!

Answer 1

In the context of James 2, James is pointing out the fallacy of immobilized faith.  Faith that does not work is not really faith.  There are no works that save us apart from faith. That is the point James and Paul make when referring to Abraham believing God and that faith be credited to him as righteousness.  We know Abraham believed because he acted on God's commands.  Faith works.

Can someone say, "I believe in Jesus" and be saved if they do not obey the Gospel? No.  Paul tells the Thessalonians, Jesus will take vengeance out on those who do not know God and do not obey the Gospel (2 Ths 1:7-9).  The Gospel is the Good News that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead (1 Cor 15:1-4).  We obey that DBR of Christ when we die to self/sin (Paul would call this being crucified - Gal 2:20), are buried with Him in immersion, and rise a new creation -- a child of God (Rom 6:3-6) by virtue of the new birth (Jn 3:5).

If by faith you include obedience one is saved by grace through such a faith.  If by faith alone you refer to mental ascent w/o a change of life and w/o obedience to God's plan then scripture say no.

Answer 2

why cant I just give out a hundred stars???

Answer 3

Yes, I'm 100% that Jesus paid 100% of the price for sinners.  I believe 100% of the Bible and we are 100% saved by grace, through faith (or we are not saved).

I think the ordering of the New Testament is cool.  I don't know who did it or why, but it seems to work well.  If you read the Gospels, you see who Christ is.  Then you read Acts, Romans, I,II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and so on.  James is almost back there where you have to have been in the Bible awhile before you get there.

James is for Christians and it is about how to have the blessings of God in our lives and how to enjoy fellowship with the Lord and other believers and rewards in heaven.

Besides, if the only outcome of the verse you have posted is to cause doubt in God's grace, why would you think God would want that?

Answer 4

no ur not saved if u just believe in Jesus Christ u have to believe he died for ur sins and that He is the Son of God, ask for forgiveness of ur sins, and ask him to come into ur heart...then ur saved......and if u want to go to heaven u have to follow God commandments and u cant sin purposely, thats just drawing away from God......and the most important thing is u have to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, talk to him, read the Bible and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ

Answer 5

if you truely believe on Jesus then you are saved but along with that there should be a change in your life that shows that Jesus is now a apart of your  life. it does not mean that you can go out and sin constantly and do as you like. you should live a Christ -filled life as well. otherwise you have not allowed Jesus truely into your life. you just spoke empty words that meant nothing.

Answer 6

I am not sure of that.  In fact, I know worshiping a guy that got executed 2,000 years ago is a waste of my time.  But, hey, if you want to, go right ahead. I ain't gonna try and stop you.

Answer 7

no

Answer 8

There is way more to it than just believing. It makes me sick that there are some so-called christians out there going around, and telling non-believers that, that is all you have to do. It's just ridiculous if you ask me. Like you said, if that is all you have to do, then people could live however they want, and somehow still be able to go to Heaven. I don't think so! If you want to know the real plan for our salvation, than I suggest you read Acts 2:38. That let's you know what you have to do exactly. I'm sorry, but getting to Heaven is not that simple, because if that were so, then everyone one would go. Which can't be true, because the pathway to Heaven is straight and narrow, meaning, that there is going to be less people going to Heaven than what everyone thinks. Good luck, in finding what you're looking for. I hope that I helped. Remember Acts 2:38!!!!

Answer 9

Demons wouldn't tremble because of God. That's the whole point of them being demons. I don't even tremble in front of/ anywhere around/ in any way because of God, and I'm nowhere near being a demon. And do you honestly think that Satan would tremble in front of him? If you have the guts to try to defy someone, why would you be afraid of them? It's not very logical.

Answer 10

Of course we can't just believe in Jesus and be saved if you put it like that.  If you read in James 2, you learn that faith without works is dead.  In other words, if you just believe something, it doesn't mean a thing until you do something (and continue doing it) to prove your belief.  For example, if I had a seed and said "I believe that the seed will grow" nothing would happen.  It would take me planting the seed in fertile soil, watering it, making sure it had enough sun light and so on to make that happen.  Same thing with salvation, we can't expect that just because we say "I believe in Jesus" we are going to be saved.  He expects us to obey his commandments (see John 15:14 KJV).  We are expected to serve others, to live lives of charity (1 Corinthians 13), dedicate ourselves to His cause, sacrificing everything that we are and have and when we mess up, we repent and rely on His atonement.  He is the only one that can save us, but He knows our hearts and expects us to choose His way in order to be saved.

Answer 11

Hey Chris, isn't getting to Heaven supposed to be its own reward?

What, do you need a certain number of good deeds to gain access to the tennis courts?

Answer 12

James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!

thats just proof that by just believing you are not automatically saved.

i hope people understand that.

hmm.. yea Chris, I am pretty sure the demons know full well who God (Jesus) is.

Answer 13

Wow, that was pretty well put. I always thought that if the devil was going to invent a religion or simply misguide people, it would be pretty ingenious to convince them that no matter WHAT they do, their sins are all forgiven. I mean, that seems like a trick from evil, don't you think.

You might be interested to know that Islam teaches very differently, however God is not seen to be so unforgiving, because the Koran teaches that God FORGAVE Adam and Eve and NOBODY caries the sins of OTHERS.

Answer 14

He said "I am the Way, the Truth and the Light, no one comes to the Father but by Me."

I'm sure.

Answer 15

For those of you that wrote before me that their needs to be a change in life as well, if that was true why have the greatest atrocities of man been committed by christians? I don't pull the old 'those aren't real Christians' because assuredly in a hundred years christians will saying the same of your tress passes', like preventing stem cell research. A true christians is determined by the religion, and that changes with the times.

If jesus did fulfill old testament law then its true the ten commandments no long apply per say, but then, they never really did. Though shalt not kill is violated many times in the OT and occasionally in the NT. Both god and jesus commit wrong doings, but because their god christians make up excuses for them. Like with jesus in the temple.

Since theirs no historical evidence of jesus' existence however, and most of his story was taken from persian myths, I'm more inclined to think the arabs have more incite into these religions than western traditions.

Also, demons don't believe in god (if they exist at all) they KNOW he exists. A lot of christians say its the beleif that's important, and knowing isn't the same thing... like that lame constanine movie. Of course if that's true than god apearing to anyone dooms them to h**l, because then they know he exists...