Is Believing On Jesus Christ Not Enough To Be Saved?

By David J. Stewart | March 2014

Romans 4:5-6, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works.”

       One of the most dangerous doctrines of devils circulating in thousands of Baptist churches today is the false teaching that faith alone in Jesus Christ (i.e., the Gospel) is not enough to get saved. May I say, to admit your guilt of sin and believe (completely rest, Hebrews 4:1-11) in the Lord Jesus Christ is enough to be saved! If you have JUST ENOUGH faith to call upon the name of the Lord, you will be saved according to Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” That is a promise from God. The word “call” here doesn't mean to audibly pray; but rather, “to invoke” (i.e., to come to Jesus to be saved).

All the faith you need to be saved is JUST ENOUGH to obey the gospel, which the Bible defines as:

1st Corinthians 15:1-4, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."

You just read the Gospel as defined in the holy Scriptures. The word “Ggospel” means “Good News.” 1st Corinthians 1:18, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” The Good News is that Christ died upon THE CROSS FOR OUR SINS, and He was buried, and He was bodily resurrected from the dead three days later.

I was conversing this past week with a gentleman who teaches at a Baptist Bible college. As we shared Biblical truths he mentioned a radio preacher. (Boy I tell you, I hate most of today's radio preachers, who are the primary source of heresy corrupting our churches today.) As we were talking he said, “Belief in Jesus is not enough to be saved, there must also be some degree of works to validate that faith.” These heretical words are from a man who teaches in a Baptist Bible college!!!

My friend, Dr. Bob Gray Sr. of the Longview Baptist Temple church in Longview, Texas is correct, “Repentance means to change your mind—change your mind—change your mind about how you want to get to Heaven to what God says you've got to do to get to Heaven. If you've got to repent of all your sins, you're still headed for Hell tonight.”

I knew immediately that the Bible teacher with whom I was conversing had a corrupt understanding of the Gospel, and that today's apostate radio preachers (e.g., Ray Comfort, Chip Ingram and John MacArthur) had indoctrinated him. I tried to steer him straight on the Bible, but he's set in his subverted ways. I felt like saying to him (as the Lord said to His disciples)... “THIS KIND GOETH NOT OUT BUT BY PRAYER AND FASTING” (Matthew 27:21)! The satanic theological stronghold of Lordship Salvation is one of Satan's most powerful weapons! Literally, I think it would be easier to cast out demons in the Lord's name, than to straighten out theologically corrupted preachers concerning Lordship Salvation. Men are so arrogant, stubborn and vainly proud.

“The law tells me how crooked I am. Grace comes along and straightens me out.” —Billy Sunday

Caught Between Grace And Works

The curse of Lordship Salvation is a satanic stronghold in millions of religious people's lives these days! There is tremendous peer pressure in theological circles to accept the Lordship Salvation crowd (Ray Comfort, John MacArthur, Chip Ingram, William Lane Craig, Moody Bible Institute, Unshackled radio, Pat Robertson, TBN, CBN and umpteen more). The love of money causes many preachers to refuse to go against the crowd. Radio preachers won't rebuke each other, because they're all sold out to the dollar.

You cannot have the Biblical mindset that God's righteousness is freely imputed to the believer by faith in Christ; while maintaining the falsehood that some degree of self-righteous works or intent not to sin are required to validate that faith in God's eyes. The Bible plainly teaches that A MAN'S FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS (Romans 4:5-6).

The Greek word for “counted” is logizomai and means “to take an inventory.” That is, an inventory of our works, good and bad. Every man must give account to God (Ecclesiastes 12:14). Even one sin is enough to send us to Hell forever (James 2:10). No amount of good can undo nor make-up for the bad, that is, sins against God. This is why Christ paid a debt that He did not owe, because we owed a debt that we could not pay. Jesus bore the burden of our sins upon Himself on the cross. When a sinner trusts Christ, God's righteousness is attributed (imputed) to that person's record. So when God the Father takes an inventory He only sees the righteousness of Christ on our record. Lordship Salvationists fail to grasp the doctrine of imputation. Literally, we are saved by GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS!!! (Philippians 3:9).

Dr. Jack Hyles 100% correctly and Biblically states concerning repentance...

“Repentance is not some little silly, 'I'm sorry.' Repentance is not simply a fear of God. Repentance is not a monk fasting and afflicting his body in a monastery. Repentance is not remorse because of sin's consequences. Repentance is not penance performed before the pope as you kiss his toe... Repentance is not being sorry for what I've done wrong. It is not confessing one's sins to a priest. It is not just conviction of sin. It is not the signing of a pledge of abstinence. Repentance is that thing when you come before God and see yourself as you are, and see Him as he is, and say with Isaiah 'Woe is me, for I am unclean!'” —Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001), a quote from the timeless MP3 sermon, THE GOODNESS OF GOD LEADETH TO REPENTANCE!

Amen and amen!
 

Satan Secretly Brings False Doctrine Into The Church

Dr. Jack Hyles explains from the Bible how the Devil sneaks into churches with false doctrines...

We need to be right on the man of God, the word of God, and the plan of salvation. The false teachers mentioned in II Peter are unsaved people who were trying to bring something other than the true Gospel from the true Word of God.

The word privily means, to sneak in somebody or something. It means that something is hiding behind something else in order for it to also get in. In this passage we see that damnable heresy had snuck in by hiding behind something that was not a damnable heresy. These false prophets have a false doctrine they want to spread. They know we will not accept it, so they hide that false doctrine behind one with which we do agree.

For there are certain men who crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 4

The phrase crept in unawares is used for two things in the Bible.

1. It is used for masquerading. It is false teaching being masqueraded.

2. It is used as entering in the side door.

SOURCE: Dr. Jack Hyles, quote from the excellent book titled, THE CHURCH, chapter 24, How the Wall of Separation Is Broken Down -By Pastor Jack Hyles [emphasis added]

Dr. Hyles is exactly right! The Devil's crowd sneak their lie of Lordship Salvation into the church behind a truth. The Devil knows that the best place to hide a LIE is between two TRUTHS! Lordship salvationists all claim to believe that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. That's the truth that they hide their lie behind. The lie is that believing on the Lord is insufficient to save, but that some degree of works are also required to validate that faith.

The truth is that they don't really believe that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone; otherwise they wouldn't claim that turning away from a past life of sin is necessary for salvation. They all completely butcher the Bible. Here is Ray Comfort's butchering of Matthew 7:22-23. When you believe on Christ to be forgiven of your sins, you have turned from your sins, in the sense that you acknowledge your sinnership. That's all God expects. The Old Testament law shows us our sinful condition (Romans 3:19), and then points us to Christ for salvation (Galatians 3:24-26).

The only sin that you need to cease from is unbelief, which is the only sin that can keep you out of Heaven. In fact, the Lord will even save you in spite of some unbelief, just so long as you act upon your belief and receive the gospel as full-payment for your sins. Faith is NOT optimism, that is, a positive outlook. Faith is entrusting the Lord. I don't have to be 100% convinced that a chair is sturdy enough to hold me up to place my faith in it. I just have to get up on that chair to trust it. Likewise, all the faith you need to be saved is JUST ENOUGH to call (petition, rely) upon the name of the Lord. Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Lordship Salvation has crept into many Baptist churches, corrupting the simplicity that is in Christ. If a person must cease from sinful bad habits to be saved, then salvation has become extremely difficult and complicated. It certainly is no longer a free gift.
 

James 2:17-20 Is Often Misinterpreted

Whereas the Apostle Paul teaches concerning the ROOT of the believer's faith in Romans 4:3-6, the Apostle James teaches concerning the FRUIT of the believer's faith in James 2:17-21. A changed life is the FRUIT of genuine repentance, and NOT a part of the ROOT of saving faith. To say that James teaches works are required to be saved is a gross misinterpretation of the Scriptures. Those false teachers who attempt to James 2:17-20 to bolster their heresy of Lordship Salvation (or works-salvation) completely IGNORE the plain teachings of Galatians 3:8, Ephesians 2:8-9 and Romans 4:5-6!!!

Clearly, salvation is BY GRACE ALONE, THROUGH FAITH ALONE, IN CHRIST ALONE! This is a free grace view of the gospel. Any attempt to ADD or SUBTRACT from the plain and simple good news of Christ's DEATH, BURIAL and RESURRECTION (i.e., the gospel according to 1st Corinthians 15:1-4) is a false plan of salvation. Jesus paid it all! Eternal life is a free gift (Romans 6:23). A gift need only be received. If works are required to validate faith, then salvation is a REWARD instead of a GIFT.

When a bank offers you a free alarm clock if you open a new account, it is not really a gift. It is a reward because you have to open a new account to get the alarm clock. The same is true of salvation. If you have to do anything to get it, then it is a reward and not a genuine gift. The heresy of Lordship Salvation is of the Devil. If you want to see something really disturbing, take a look at a comparison between the teachings of Seventh Day Adventists, Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses along with that of John MacArthur, Ray Comfort, Creation Science Evangelism (Eric Hovind) and Chip Ingram. They all share the same perverted views of “repentance” as a change of lifestyle, rather than a change of mind as the Bible teaches concerning salvation.

It is critically important that you always remember Christ alone bore the weight of our sins upon the cross. Jesus took the burden of our sins upon Himself. It is gross false doctrine when anyone places the burden of sin upon the sinner instead of upon the Lord Jesus Christ, Who took our sins upon Himself. 2nd Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” We are saved by HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS!!!
 

What Does “The Devils Also Believe, And Tremble” Mean?

James 2:19-23, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.”

What does this mean? It means that Abraham's faith in God for salvation in Genesis 15:6 was confirmed in THE EYES OF MEN in Genesis 22:8 by his works, when he offered up his son Isaac. You see, only God can see a man's soul, so we can be justified BY FAITH in the eyes of God. However, since men cannot see our soul, the only way that we can be justified in the eyes of men is by our works. So our faith is validated by virtue of our works IN THE EYES OF MEN!!! Where preachers mess up and pervert the Gospel is when they require WORKS to validate FAITH for salvation as part of the Gospel!!! The “simplicity that is in Christ” (2nd Corinthians 11:3-4) can be made very difficult when the Gospel is changed.

The devils are afraid of coming judgment in Hell (Greek: Tartarus). Tartarus is a special Hell just for the fallen angels. Devils KNOW that Jesus is the Son of God, the Christ. Yet, they have no hope. People who die in their sins go to Hell (Greek: Hades). Matthew 8:29, “And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?” Ultimately, all the unsaved dead, the Devil, False Prophet, Beast and all the fallen angels will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Greek: Gehenna) to burn forever (Revelation 20:13-15). Matthew 25:41, “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” Jesus warned that Hell has fire, a place of torment, which was originally prepared for the Devil and his angels. When man sinned against God, and refused God's gift of eternal life, Hell enlarged itself (Isaiah 5:14). Men choose to go to Hell, by rejecting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The grace of God that brings salvation appears to ALL MEN (Titus 2:11).

The following passage of Scripture from Romans chapter 4 is very important to cross-reference with James chapter 2. Clearly, the Bible teaches that Abraham was NOT justified BY WORKS, which seems totally contrary to James 2:17-23:

Romans 4:1-8, “What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.”

So we learn that Abraham was justified with God by IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS; but Abraham was justified in the eyes of men by PRACTICAL RIGHTEOUSNESS.

The apostle James in his Epistle is simply pointing out that anybody, even the devils, can make a public profession of faith. Muslims in Islam believe in God (Allah) but they deny that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, which according to 1st John 2:22 makes them LIARS and ANTICHRISTS!!! I say that kindly, but truthfully. Believing in God is not the Gospel! The Gospel is that Jesus Christ DIED on the cross for our sins, was BURIED, and bodily RESURRECTED three days later (1st Corinthians 15:1-4).

Many Bible students errantly assume that the test of salvation is whether a person has departed from a sinful lifestyle or not. May I say, there are far more upright religious people going to Hell, like Cornelius in Acts chapter 10 (religious but lost), than there are religious people abiding in a sinful lifestyle. Granted, everyone sins, but most devout religious people are trying to maintain some level of moral standards in their life. It is folly to associate morality with salvation!!! The evidence of being saved is the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which cannot be detected outwardly. Most people would conclude that a devout churchgoer and deacon is a Christian, but Judas was one of Christ's very apostles and went to Hell. There will be murderers and adulterers in Heaven, who are washed in the blood of the Lamb of God. Jesus told the religious chief priests and elders in Matthew 21:31b, “the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.”

Thus, if you evaluate a person's salvation based on their morality, then you would wrongly conclude that many religious people are saved, when in reality they are as lost as Satan. So you see, you cannot determine if someone is saved or not based upon their manner of life. 1st John 3:8-9, “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” It is important to consider verse 9, where the Bible says a born-again Christian “CANNOT SIN.” How is that possible? It simply means that we have a choice as believers, a choice to either “walk in the Spirit,” or to “walk in the lusts of the flesh.”

Galatians 5:25, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” I love that Bible verse. If we are born-again (indwelt with the Holy Spirit), we should also walk in the Spirit (by yielding in obedience to the Word of God as the Spirit leads, comforts, teaches, rebukes and guides us into all truth). At any given moment, as Christians we have a choice to either walk in the flesh, or walk in the Spirit of Christ. It is the Holy Spirit Who cannot sin!!! So when we sin as believers, it is us doing our own thing, and not the Holy Spirit living in us.

A Christian living in sin is of the Devil, but that doesn't mean he or she is not saved. We see this evidenced by the apostle Peter, to whom Jesus called him “Satan.” Matthew 16:23, “But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” Peter wasn't Satan, but he was thinking like Satan, unbiblical in his intentions. Christians who use and promote the modern corrupt Bible versions are unknowingly pulling on the same rope as the Devil. Isn't that something... Christians helping further the work of Satan! The new counterfeit Bible versions have a dark agenda behind them, which ultimately will be to usher in the Antichrist!!!

I am a strong OPPONENT of Lordship Salvation. In fact, I hate the hellish satanic lie of Lordship Salvation. I have discussed the false doctrine of Lordship Salvation with numerous churchgoers and they always run to James 2:17-20, Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” Notice carefully in James 2:19 that the devils also “believe” the Bible says. Interestingly, this word “believe” is the same exact Greek word, pisteuo, as “believeth” in John 3:16. Pisteuo means “to have faith in, that is, to entrust Christ.” So if demons entrust the Savior are they also saved?

The answer is clearly that the fallen angels didn't believe until they sinned and were kicked out of Heaven, cast down to the earth with one-third of the angels. We see this truth demonstrated in Luke 16:19-31. Lazarus went to Heaven; the rich man went to Hell. While on earth the rich man didn't entrust the Savior. He died in his sins without Christ. We plainly see that the rich man did believe when he was in torments in Hell, but it was too late. The angels that sinned believe now, but it is too late. Many are already in Hell, and others are free at the present but tremble for fear of their coming punishment in Hell. Jude 1:6, “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”

Thus, it is a gross misinterpretation of James 2:19 to say that this verse refers to intellectual assent to the Gospel, but the person is not saved because they don't have some degree of works to validate their faith. SALVATION IS NOT BY WORKS!!!

In the following helpful exegesis from his book titled, SALVATION and THE PUBLIC INVITATION, Dr. Max D. Younce explains the highly controversial Scripture passage in James 2:19...

  1. WORKS ALONE, KNOWN AS LEGALISM

This group claims that salvation is by our good works alone without faith in Christ. That is, we just follow Christ's example and pattern our lives after Him. This is held to be the modern day liberals and modernists. When we say, "without faith in Christ" we do not mean they do not believe in Jesus Christ. They believe in Him as a good man and may even call him "Saviour" and "Redeemer," but they do not trust Him as God's complete payment for their sin. These will often quote James 2:19 to substantiate their position. We will quote this verse later with its explanation. Now let us see what the Bible says about going to Heaven on our own good works.

  1. What about the law? In Romans 3:19, 20 we are told, "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."

The law was given to shut the mouth of every person who claims to be justified by it, because no one has ever kept it in its entirety. James 2:10 makes that perfectly clear, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."

  1. What about boasting? In Romans 3:28 we are told, "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." Romans 3:27 explains that one would only brag and boast of their own good works. "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith."
     
  2. What about Abraham? Romans 4:1-5. In verse one we read, "What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?" Pertaining to the flesh means, what had Abraham found concerning doing good works of the flesh. In Verse two we read, "For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God." This answers Verse one, that if Abraham wants to offer his good works to God to be justified, then go ahead, but do not give God the glory. Why? Because this excludes God as having any part in your justification as you have tried to justify yourself. If you have offered your good works to God for your justification, then go ahead and glory, but do not glory before God for you have excluded Him as having any part in
    the salvation you think you have.

Now let us see what God has to say in Verse three concerning Abraham, or anyone, who seeks to justify themselves. "For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." God gave him the righteousness he needed for eternal life because of his belief. What did he believe? Galatians 3:8 tells us, "And the scripture foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying in thee shall all nations be blessed." The Gospel according to I Corinthians 15:1-4 is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. "... Moreover, Brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I have preached unto you ... how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures: and that he (Christ) was buried, and that he arose again the third day according to the scriptures."

In Genesis 15:5, 6, God promised Abraham he would have a child and his seed would multiply even to the number of the stars in heaven. Remember, this would have to be a supernatural birth because both Sarah and Abraham were past the years of fertility and sexually impotent to have a child naturally. Abraham believed God's promise of a supernatural birth concerning his son. Isaac was born when Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90 (Hebrews 11:11 and Genesis 21:5). After Isaac was born, the boy grew and God tested Abraham by asking him to offer Isaac, by death, as a burnt offering (Genesis 22). Abraham obeyed God, believing He would raise him from the dead. Isaac was a figure of Christ by his supernatural birth and resurrection. Isaac was considered dead and resurrected in the eyes and mind of Abraham. This is the gospel Abraham believed, the supernatural birth and resurrection of Isaac, a figure pointing to the future death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Hebrews 11:17-19 says, "By faith Abraham, when he was tired, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son. Of whom it is said, that in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure (of Christ)." Again, Romans 4:3, "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness."

In Verse 4 we read, "Now to him (Abraham or anyone) that worketh is the reward (God's righteousness and eternal life) not reckoned of grace, but of debt." In other words, if God would grant us eternal life for our good works, it would be because of a debt he owed us, and not because of His grace and mercy. God owes us nothing, but rather, we owe Him everything. He will not accept any works on our part until we first accept the gift of His righteousness, eternal life by simple faith in Christ.

In verse 5 we read, "But to him that worketh not but believeth on Him (Christ) that justifieth the ungodly (you and I), his faith is counted for righteousness."

  1. What about the Devil? In James 2:19 we read, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils (demons) also believe, and tremble." The word "devils" should be translated demons, for there is only one devil but many demons. The reasoning of the legalist is simple: if the demons believe the same as we do, then they should be saved also. In support of a works salvation, it is also pointed out that the word "believe" in James 2:19 comes from the same Greek word as "believe" in John 3:16 which states, "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish but have everlasting life." Now, if the demons believe and tremble, we must have to do more than just believe for they believe, but all their thoughts and works are bad. We must have good works to be saved is the claim of the modernists and liberals.

How does a child of God answer such a claim?

There is no question that the demons also believe that Jesus died for the sin of the world exactly as we do. The question...WHEN DID THEY BELIEVE? A boy in school may think he can whip another boy smaller than he. Finally, they get into a fight and the bigger boy gets beaten up. If you were to ask the bigger boy now if he believes the smaller boy can whip him, he will tell you, "Yes." The point is, he didn't believe it before the fight, but he sure does now. He is a believer now, but only after he lost the fight.

The demons are those angels that followed Lucifer when he said in his heart, "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God, I will sit also upon the mount of congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds: I will be like the most high" (Isaiah 14:13, 14). Now in verse 15 God says, "Yet thou shalt be brought down to Hell, to the sides of the pit." In Matthew 25:41 we are told that God created the everlasting fire for the devil and his angels (now demons). "Then shall he say unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." Their sentence is already passed, do they believe it? Absolutely! Remember, some of the most wicked demons are chained in place called "Tartarus" awaiting their final destiny in everlasting fire ( 2nd Peter 2:4 and Jude 6). The demons that are not chained know this and believe. They also believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Mark 5)...but they believed too late. They should have joined the angels that believed and followed God instead of following the Devil. You see, they believe now because they have seen God's judgment but now it is too late.

A good example of this is given in Luke 16, where a rich man who was an unbeliever died. Upon entering torment, he changed his mind and began believing. Let's read the record in Luke 16:22-24, "...the rich man also died, and was buried; And in Hell (Hades), he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off...And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame." Now notice in Verses 27 and 28, "Then he (rich man) said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment."

The rich man who was lost, believed, but he believed too late. His destiny was already begun. The demons believe but they have believed too late, their judgment has already been pronounced.

Do not wait until it is too late (death). Here is God's warning in 2nd Corinthians 6:12, "Behold now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation," because tomorrow may never come. One will not be in torment one second until they believe, but they will have believed too late. Yes, the demons also believe, and no wonder they tremble, looking only to the sure judgment of everlasting fire, because they believed too late. "...Now is the accepted time..."

SOURCE: Dr. Max D. Younce, from his excellent book titled, SALVATION and THE PUBLIC INVITATION

Beware of liberals and modernists who attempt to use James 2:19 to teach that entrusting the Savior is not enough to be saved. They are liars and antichrists! If the Bible teaches anything, it teaches that all that is required for salvation is childlike faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Biblically, believing on the name of Jesus is enough to be forgiven of our sins and eternally saved. John 20:31, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” Acts 10:43, “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” Even the most naive, simple and vile sinner who places their heart's trust in Christ for the forgiveness of sins is born-again immediately, permanently and irrevocably.

Whether they intend to stop living in sin or not is totally irrelevant to their being saved. The word “repent” does NOT mean to stop living in sin; but rather, to change one's mind. When you turn to Christ in faith, you have simultaneously turned your back against sin, whether you intend to forsake them or not at that time. Repentance is acknowledging one's SINNERSHIP! It is admitting to God that I am as sinful as he has declared me to be in His Word.

Dr. Oliver B. Greene (1915-1976) of THE GOSPEL HOUR correctly teaches that BELIEVING is sufficient enough to save a man:

“I know there are people who cry long and loud that believing on Jesus is not sufficient for salvation. It is true that intellectual belief is not saving faith. There are many who believe that a Man named Jesus lived—but that is not enough. Many believe that He was a great Teacher, a great Preacher, a great Healer—but that is not enough. Believing that He died a martyr's death is not believing unto salvation. James 2:19 tells us that even the demons believe—and tremble; but demons are not saved. The demons believe in that they know there is a God—omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. They know that one day they will be cast into the lake that burns forever with fire and brimstone.

But I declare on the authority of God's Word that believing as it is taught in the Word is sufficient to 'born' a sinner into God's family! Believing on Jesus for salvation means trusting Him wholly, entirely, placing your life and your eternity in His hands. Believing on Jesus for salvation is resting your case on Him, believing that He is able and willing to do all that He promised. Nothing less will bring about the new birth—and if you hope to enter heaven you MUST be born again. You must be born of the Word and of the Spirit.

If you have not believed on Jesus unto salvation, I urge you to believe NOW. Receive Him by faith NOW. Take Him into your heart by faith, and you will pass from death unto life eternal—for the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

SOURCE: Dr. Oliver B. Greene, “BELIEVE And BE SAVED,” pp. 53-54; ©1970, THE GOSPEL HOUR, INC.)

Radio Preacher, Dr. Chip Ingram's False Plan Of Salvation

Consider the damnable heresy of radio preacher Dr. Chip Ingram, who foolishly states:

“But now the ball's in your court. If you would like Jesus as your Savior. Saving faith is getting in the wheelbarrow. Trusting in His work on the cross, His payment for your sin, His resurrection TO THE POINT that you say, I turn away and repent from my past life in sin, I change my mind and I trust, I get in the wheel-barrow." [emphasis added]

SOURCE: Dr. Chip Ingram, sermon quote, “Fatal Assumption: Exposing The Myths Of Being Born Again - Part Two”

Do you see Ingram's gross error in interpreting the Scriptures? He teaches that you cannot be saved by simply receiving the gospel as full payment for your sins; but rather, your faith is only valid if you believe “TO THE POINT” that you are willing to turn away from a past life of sin. This is 100% works-salvation rooted in one's own self-righteousness!!! Salvation is receiving, not giving. To place a requirement to cease from sinful behavior as a prerequisite to believing the gospel is a false plan of salvation.
 

Belief Is All That Is required For Salvation

Belief is all that is required for salvation. By “belief” I mean relying (trusting) upon the name of Jesus to be saved. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, He was buried and then He was miraculously raised-up three days later from the dead. This is the gospel (good news).

It is not enough to acknowledge the existence of God. It is not enough to intellectually ascribe to the philosophy of Christianity. Christ died, that's history; Christ died for me, that's salvation!

James speaks of being justified in the EYES OF MEN, not God. Every religious cult attempts to use the teachings of James 2:17-20 to justify their false teachings concerning salvation. James plainly says “shew me” and “I'll will shew thee (you).” James 2:18, “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” Notice that he doesn't say, “I'll shew God.” Thus, James is speaking about being justified in the eyes of men. With God we are justified by faith. 1st Samuel 16:7, “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” Romans 10:10, “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness...”

The words “believe” and “believed” are found 85-times in the Gospel of John. Yet, the word “repent” is not mentioned even once. Clearly, the person who has believed has repented, and the person who repents has believed. They happen simultaneously. Salvation is NOT a process. You don't repent first and then believe as Ray Comfort falsely teaches. Repentance and faith are not two steps to salvation; but rather, two parts of ONE STEP. The very moment that you believe on Christ you are saved. John 1:10-13, “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Acts 16:30-31, “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

“Repentance means to change your mind—change your mind—change your mind about how you want to get to Heaven to what God says you've got to do to get to Heaven. If you've got to repent of all your sins, you're still headed for Hell tonight.” —Pastor Bob Gray Sr., a quote from the awesome MP3 sermon, Why You Should Be A Part Of A Growing Church

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