Is One Saved By Merely Believing In Jesus?

The Problem: An unfair sounding gospel

The following version of judgment day is nothing but science fiction. Unfortunately, this repulsive scene is implied by many of today’s gospel presentations.

Two souls are standing before God. God turns to the first one and says; “Mr. Matthew’s, you were a miserable, wretched sinner, rotten to the core. You do not deserve to enter my kingdom. But luckily you believed in Jesus. Now, all is well. Feel free to come in and congratulations.”

Then He turns to Mr. Gallows, “Mr. Gallows, you too were a miserable, wretched sinner, rotten to the core. You do not deserve to enter my kingdom either and you know something? You won’t. Because you did not believe in Jesus.”

Is mere belief all there is to salvation? Could not Mr. Gallows bring up a valid defense?

“Let me get this right. My life style was no different than Mr. Matthews’. We were both sinners and Christ died for us both.”

“Correct.”

“And the only distinguishing mark is that he happened to believe and I was brought up in such a way that psychologically, belief in Jesus was difficult. Look, I believe now. If Christ died for me anyway, why not let me stay?”

“Sorry. You’re already dead. It doesn’t count anymore.”

We mock our loving God with such hideous descriptions. God is reduced to nothing but an apathetic game show host. “You lost salvation , but we have lovely parting gifts for you.”

I once read an anti- tract, put out in response to those who would try to convert Jewish people. In this pamphlet a Rabbi said:

“Hear about how the Jewish men, women and children who were pushed into ovens are now suffering a worse torment in hell simply because they “didn’t believe in Jesus,” while the Nazi murderers are enjoying the luxury of heaven because they did believe.”

As you can see, such people have a grave misunderstanding of the Christian message. But who can blame them? This is the only message they have heard: ” Once you give your life to Jesus you can live any way you want and because you are forgiven, you get off scott free.” The Rabbi was simply pushing his understanding of Christianity to its logical conclusion.

Repentance from sin and obedience to Jesus are essential elements of the gospel which today’s generation has left on the cutting room floor. No wonder the message sounds unfair. We have given the impression that God cares more about doctrine than righteousness. The single word believe is used to sum up the sinner’s responsibility before Christ. Jesus is viewed as mere fire insurance. Those who wish to “walk the extra mile” are encouraged to do so, but submission to the Spirit is considered optional.

“You will get a blessing if you obey, but you don’t have to. The important thing is to be saved. We can talk about all that sanctification stuff later.”

No where in the Bible is an easy belief even implied. Of course, many verses of scripture seem, on a first glance to teach mere, intellectual assent. Especially phrases such as:

“Whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yoursselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.” Eph 2:8-9

Using such verses as launching pads, some Christian circles will say that any discussion of repentance is diluting the pure gospel and any imperitive to receive Jesus as Lord as well as Savior is a heresy, for it teaches salvation by works.

It is easy to appreciate this concern. For many years the tension between the call to repentance and the call to salvation by grace and faith alone has caused great debate in the church. This chapter will hopefully defend the command to repent in a manor which shows the difference between true faith and false assurance, between true repentance and meaningless works.

Defining faith

For starters, let’s return to the word which causes so much confusion; The word believe. We must remember that our translations of the term believe are taken from the Greek word pisteo. Pisteo referred to the type of belief which resulted in trust, reliance and obedience. In other words, we are saved by making a decision to obey Christ. Obedience is not to be confused with salvation by works, but rather, it is to be viewed as evidence of a living faith.

“Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord lord did we not prophecy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evil doers.” Matt. 7:21-23

This shocking preview of the Great White Throne focuses upon people who called themselves Christians and did religious works. But two qualities were missing from their lives. First of all, they did not have a personal relationship with God. When Jesus says “I never knew you,” he is not implying that an omniscient God did not have their addresses. But rather, there was no intimate fellowship. These people knew about Jesus, but they didn’t know Jesus. And what is the sign of this relationship? Obedience, submission to God on such a magnitude that it radiantly outshines mere religion. Religion can be a cop out and a compromise. Following a few rules is much easier than telling God each and every day, “I will do anything you ask of me.” Some people decide to attend church or give money in an attempt to clear their conscience. All the while they are basically governing their own lives.

“I punched in my hours. Now I’m free to do as I please.”

Interestingly enough, Jesus’ first recorded preaching words were:

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Matt. 4:17

Repentence (Metaneo) refers to a total change of mind. It is a decision to stop, turn around and travel in the opposite direction. All too many “receive Christ,” only to continue down the same muddy road.

Giving people a reason to serve God

Proclaiming the Lordship of Christ will never win us a popularity contest because the idea of change is threatening to people. But an accurate explanation of the gospel will at least sound fair. It will make more sense than the ludicrous idea that one can believe in Jesus and subsequently do anything they wish. Either we want to live a righteous life or we don’t. Who can really argue with that? On the other hand, the easy believism message is so full of holes that secular people see through it at once.

When confronted with the simple question, “Why should I serve God?” Christians typically respond by telling the prospective convert how happy he will be.

“But I’m already happy.”

“No you’re not. I’m referring to true happiness; deep wells of joy which can be opened only by God. You could be much more content.”

“Possibly. All I know is that I’m still satisfied. So I won’t bother God and He won’t bother me. What’s wrong with this arrangement?”

Face it. Many individuals are happy without God. When happiness is offered as the reason for becoming a Christian, people can all too easily say, “My that’s sweet, but no thanks.”

At this stage, the Christian resorts to Plan B. “Oh, well in that case, if you don’t repent, God will send you to hell.”

What a horrible picture of God. “Be happy God’s way or God will get upset and torch you.”

The after life has become too much of a focal point for modern evangelism. The joys of heaven are presented with the cutest salesman approaches. The respective individual is urged to “reserve his mansion in advance.” He should not ignore this special limited offer.

“C stands for a cure to all your pain. H stand for help whenever you need it. R stands for relief in times of stress. I stands for individual favors which you will receive. S stand for the seltzer which will calm your upset life. And T stands for the tension which will soon disappear. Put it all together and what does it spell?” It spells bribery.

Of course, the one who cannot be bribed is threatened. He is warned to “catch the rapture and miss the tribulation.” Or Hell is described with frightening adjectives.

“Hell is no comfortable place my friend. You think it’s bad when the air conditioner doesn’t work? Just take a gander at God’s cosmic furnace. And remember, you don’t know what day you’re going to die. Some idiot could run a red light tomorrow and it could be all over. I would strongly suggest that you receive Christ right away.”

To make heaven or avoid Hell. Happiness or depression. How ironic that these subjects are considered the essence of God’s gospel. We are confusing reason with consequence. Certainly heaven and hell are real places. Of course the Christian life is fulfilling. But these are the results of your choice, not the reason for your decision. The reason we serve Christ is a much simpler one: It is the right thing to do. Period.

If somebody asked for your opinion of stealing, what would you tell them? Would you warn that people are jailed for committing such crimes? I don’t think so. I believe you would tell them that stealing is morally wrong. Because it is wrong, society will put the thief in jail. Jail is the consequence, morality is the reason.

Watch for Part Two of this article.

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Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE

New International Version NIV

Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Printed in the United States of America