Many people in the religious world teach that all a person needs to do is believe in God and accept Jesus as his personal Savior. Do these people have any passages that teach this comforting doctrine? Of course! "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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:16,17) Who could deny this simple Bible truth so plainly taught in the Bible's golden text? Naturally, I believe the passage, but I do not agree with the conclusion at which these people arrive. Please allow me to explain...

To begin, let us look at some of Jesus' other words voiced at the end of the His great Sermon on the Mount. "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. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" (Matthew 7:21-23) The Lord said some who believed would still be lost because they failed to do the Father's will! Some will even present the Lord with a laundry list of all the things they accomplished in His name-but it won't help. Why? Notice the word iniquity, or lawlessness. This word is defined as acting without authority. Are you still confused? Let's study some examples of what is a very vital truth-faith alone cannot save.

Demons believe. "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble!" (James 2:19) Even the demons who existed when the Lord was on earth knew and believed in Him. "...What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me. For He said to him, 'Come out of the man, unclean spirit!' Then He asked him, 'What is your name?' And he answered, saying, 'My name is Legion; for we are many.' Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. So all the demons begged Him, saying, 'Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.'" (Mark 5:7-12) By the way, in case you're wondering, the demons worked for Satan. They were his messengers! Is anyone who believes that faith ALONE saves willing to argue that the demons are in a saved condition

King Saul. Samuel told King Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15:1-3). Do you remember what Saul told Samuel when he next approached him? "...Blessed are you of the LORD! I have performed the commandment of the LORD." (1 Samuel 15:13) But Samuel knew better; he heard the sounds of the animals, and King Agag was still alive! Because of his disobedience, Saul lost the throne. Yet, he believed in God, and we have no reason to believe he didn't think he'd done well. Never forget that God equates disobedience with unbelief. Remember Moses (Numbers 20:1-12).

Are you the type of believer who thinks you will be saved simply because you believe that God exists? Rethink your position, and don't be among the multitude of hell-bound believers! God expects us to do exactly what He says, exactly when and how He says.