The Surprise
Just believing in God is not enough, for even demons believe in God and I have never, ever heard anyone say that demons are saved from sin. In fact, demons are not saved from the consequences of their sin, period. From the lower part of the picture, its easy to see that the cab driver is surprised and in fact many people will also be surprised on judgment day.
I really prefer to look at the Scriptures in their context, so here the above verse in its immediate context…
James 2 ( World English Bible )
18 Yes, a man will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith.
19 You believe that God is one. You do well. The demons also believe, and shudder.
20 But do you want to know, vain man, that faith apart from works is dead?
Faith or works; which is it? The answer- both. Just acknowledging God is not enough, we must respond to God not only with our mind, but with our attitude and actions as well. Take a little time and read Hebrews 11. The people listed there believed in God and did something about it- they acted. Genuine faith acts in obedience to God. In fact, most people really want to go to heaven and be with God, but they are led astray by people who distort or change the truth. Consider the following picture...
The Desire
The “Heavenward” picture shows a way to heaven. Stairs someone may take to reach the realm where God and his chosen ones dwell. But, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 7: 21ff, not everyone ( in fact, the vast majority of people ) who acknowledge God will be excluded from fellowship with the Almighty and denied entrance into heaven.
But, to those who will hear what God says in his word and obey HIM, will have fellowship and eternal life with him in heaven. So, what path ( or narrow way- Matthew 7 ) will get you there.
Consider the following steps and follow them…
The Path
In his first sermon, the apostle Peter says…
Acts 2 ( World English Bible )
36 “Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.”
40 With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.
Peter was speaking to Jews who had previously tried to follow God, but had rejected Jesus. They had not realized that Jesus is the one and only way to God, killed him and were guilty. Peter told them to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. They did this and were added to the church.
So, repentance and baptism are necessary actions in the path that leads to heaven. Next, consider the following Scriptures…
Revelation 2:10 ( WEB )
...Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Its not enough to just believe and obey, one has to continue to follow God for the rest of their lives. Why? Because to go back to a previous life of sin results in death, that’s why!
But what will happen after one dies. The truth is, God will judge everyone on their thoughts, motives and actions ( aka… works ).
Please read the following…
Revelation 20 ( WEB )
12 I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and they opened books. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it. Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them. They were judged, each one according to his works.
14 Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
15 If anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 22 ( WEB )
12 “Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work.
13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
14 Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.
15 Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
16 I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David; the Bright and Morning Star.”
17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” He who hears, let him say, “Come!” He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.
18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book.
19 If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.
20 He who testifies these things says, “Yes, I come quickly.” Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen.
Now, it is possible that someone out there may say that the above passages are just from the book of Revelation and could be interpreted differently, so perhaps we should remove that argument by considering the earthly words of Jesus.
Matthew 28 ( WEB )
18 Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
19 Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Mark 16 ( WEB )
15 He said to them, “Go into all the world, and preach the Good News to the whole creation.
16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.
Jesus said the words above from the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus has the authority to determine who enters heaven ( after all, he is the one who died on the cross for OUR SINS ). And, it is Jesus who determines who has genuine saving faith (see Mark 16:16 above):
1. Genuine Belief= belief plus baptism.
2. Condemnation= by belief minus baptism.
Surprise, you may want to be with heaven with God, but if you have not followed THE PATH that God has set forth for you, then you just will not be allowed to enter. Truthfully, the only other alternative is HELL and who in their right mind would really want THAT?
Please, please listen- your eternal life depends upon it. Follow Jesus correctly and faithfully, for it is my sincere hope to see you in heaven.
May God bless your decision,
Your friend,
Gary