Condemned Believers

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. - James 2:19

    To believe there is a God, even there is one God, is a mere exercise of the intellect. I am convinced that even the self-proclaimed atheist, if he were not such a liar, and would speak honestly, would render the same conclusion. The light of creation, the existence of all things, reveals God’s handiwork. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork (Ps 19:1). His signature is clearly visible in all and to all. The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse (Rom 1:20). However, a mere belief in the existence of God is not saving faith.

    The Object of saving faith is Jesus Christ in whom alone is salvation. The effect of spiritual life is God-given faith which results in embracing, loving, and worshipping Him. The result of a mere intellectual belief in the existence of God is self-righteousness based upon that belief which is nothing more that faith in self. It is not those who believe there is a God that have everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation. It is those chosen sinners that are in Christ (live by faith in Christ) that shall never perish. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Rom 8:1). Men do well to believe there is one God. That is true and should be believed. However, this is nothing more than the devils do. They also believe and tremble.

    This brings us to one conclusion: Apart from faith in Christ there is only condemnation. We cannot bypass Christ and his redemptive work and have favor with God. It is the sovereign Spirit of the living God that quickens dead sinners and reveals Christ to them. There is a difference in believing and believing!