Many Christians will tell you that belief in the Lord Jesus is all that is required for salvation. Indeed, the bible does tell us we are saved by grace through faith, not of works, lest any man should boast (Eph. 2:8-9). Many of us can quote from memory John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life". Notice the word "SHOULD", not WILL. Matt 7:21-23 quotes Jesus' teaching that not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of God. Some will declare that they have prophesied in his name, cast out devils, and performed many wonderful works, again in his name. He will say he never knew them for they were workers of iniquity.
There are no doubt billions of people who think of themselves as Christians, based upon their belief in the Lord and acceptance of his sacrifice for their sins. We are told, though, in Matt 7:13-14, that MANY will follow the path that leads to destruction. In comparison, relatively FEW will find the path that leads to life. Are we therefore missing something? Is there a disconnect with regard to our understanding?
I ponder these things as I am reminded of teachings such as those above, as well as those of the Apostle James, who tells us that faith without works is dead, James 2:20. The Apostle Peter teaches us that God will judge us according to our works (I Pet 1:17) and in II Pet 1:5-8 he instructs us to add to our faith the following; virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity. In verses 10-11 he teaches that we are to make our calling and election sure, that we MAY be granted entrance into the kingdom of God.
There are many more examples throughout the bible that admonish us to live godly lives before our God. The Apostle Paul writes in Rom 12:1-2 that we are to offer our bodies a LIVING sacrifice to our Father, and to be not conformed to this world but tranformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may prove what is the good and acceptable will of God.
He never, however, deceived those he taught into believing that it would be an easy road. He likened the Christian's life to warfare. We have to battle, not only our own flesh and the sinful nature within us, but Satan, who wants nothing more than to destroy us. He wrote in Eph 6:12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." He followed in verse 13, "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." I Pet 5:8 says, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." James 4:7 advises, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
Paul used this analogy throughout his letter to Timothy, his spiritual son and fellow-laborer in the work. He charged him to fight a good warfare, encouraging him to be strong and to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. He warned him to refrain from entangling himself in the affairs of this world, but to flee the temptations that destroyed the lives of others. He reminded Timothy to study the word to show himself approved of God, rightly dividing the word of truth.
In word and in deed, Paul himself lived what he taught. But again, he didn't shy away from the truth; that it takes commitment, endurance and strength, in addition to faith, to attain unto salvation. To the Phillippians, he wrote, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before; I PRESS toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus", Phil 3:13-14. Toward the end of his life, he wrote, "For I am ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith (II Tim 4:6-7).
Paul was speaking of an active faith. This kind of faith is evidenced by works, as we learn from the book of James. The 11th chapter of Hebrews is often referred to as the "Faith" chapter of the Bible. We are given an historical glimspe into the lives of some of the greatest people who have ever lived, people of great faith. Each verse resonates with the results of such faith; By faith Abel offered God a more excellent sacrifice, by faith Enoch was translated, by faith Noah moved with fear and prepared an ark, by faith Abraham obeyed and went out, not knowing where he went, by faith Moses refused to be called Pharoah's son and forsook Egypt. The Bible gives numerous examples of this active faith, a faith in God so strong, that obedience to Him was never questioned. No hardship, no threat to life, no offer of fame, fortune or riches could shake such absolute faith in their God and the glory that would one day be theirs if they overcame. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego faced a fiery furnace, Daniel braved the lion's den, and our Savior spurned Satan's offer of immediate glory in exchange for his worship.
Finally, Christ's message to the seven churches of Revelation all end with the same admonition, To him who OVERCOMES! Yes, we can only be saved by God's grace, through faith. However, real faith will be evidenced by lives of overcoming, of service and obedience to God.
