When people start to talk about religion this is one of the first questions that comes up. Lets take a look and see what the scriptures say about faith alone.
First of all, Jesus speaking in St. John 7:38 "He that believeth on me as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." Here we notice we must believe on Jesus as the scriptures hath said. We can't just say we believe in Jesus, because in James 2:19 "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." So the devils believe, but the difference in the devil's faith and a saint of God's faith is a saint believes as the scriptures hath said.
Another difference between a devils faith and a saint's faith is a saint will have works with his faith. Notice James 2:14-26 (26) "For the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" If we don't have works to support our faith then our faith is dead. Will dead faith save anyone?
Next place to read is Mat. 7:21-27 (21)"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" Now we see man must do the will of God to enter into heaven.
Turn to James 1:20-27 (22) "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." It clearly lets us know if we be a hearer only we are deceiving our own selves. That is saying you can't read the word of God only you must do the word of God.
Is it important to obey God? Read in Hebrews 5:8 & 9 speaking about Jesus (9) "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him" So now clearly letting people know we must be obedient to the Word of God. Here is what Romans 6:16 says "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servant to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of OBEDIENCE unto righteousness"? So to be righteous we must be obedient to the Word of God.
I hope this has helped in your search for answers about Jesus and his Church. The word of God is plain and simple. To be a saint of God we must first believe on him as the scriptures hath said. Next you must be a doer of the word and not a hearer only. Then you must have works with your faith. Last of all you must be obedient to Jesus by Repenting and being baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins.
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