Believing In God Isn’t Enough

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ

for it is the power of God unto salvation

to everyone that believeth;

 to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

 (Romans 1:16)

Oh they believed in God!  This is a comment I’ve often heard in regard to someone who has passed on; and at other times in conversations concerning faith.  Lest any should perish, which is not the will of God, and wishing not to minimize Gods’ greatness, as gently as I can, I must point out this truth.  Believing in God alone is not enough to save your soul or give you eternal life in heaven.  You must know and receive His Son the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour. 

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.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved:  He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18)

It is Jesus alone who shed His precious blood on the cross of Calvary to pay for our sins.  It is Jesus alone who is the way to salvation and eternal life.  He is the only way to God.  There is none other.  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  

Countless people believe in God.  Enjoying the gift of life and surrounded by His beautiful creation it is almost impossible not to believe in a higher power at work in our universe.  There is a higher power.  He is God.  But there is more.  God has a Son whose name is Jesus who became a propitiation for our sins, and is now seated at the right hand of God in heaven.  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us,  and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins. (I John 4:10) 

While we may believe in God, and this is good, we must go one step further.  We must believe in and accept his beloved Son, Jesus Christ as our blessed Redeemer and Saviour.  It is Jesus who reconciles us to God, from whom we were separated by our sins.  And all of us are sinners.  As such, all can only be saved by the grace of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and His finished work upon the cross to pay our sin debt. 

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:11)  Wherefore God also hath exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phillipians 2:9-11)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is a GIFT of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8:9)

So how can one know Jesus and have a personal relationship with Him? 

First you need to realize that you are a sinner.  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)  Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin: and so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned:  (Romans 5:12)

Secondly you need to know that everyone owes a sin debt.  For the wages of sin is death (eternal death); but the GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  (Romans 6:23) 

Thirdly you need to know that everyone’s (including yours) sin debt has been paid by Jesus.  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.  (Romans 5:8-10)  That as sin reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.  (Romans 5:21) 

Fourthly you must simply accept God’s GIFT of eternal life.  You must believe what Jesus has done for you and ask Him to come into your heart and save you.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  (Romans 10:13)  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  (Romans 10:13) These things have I written unto you that BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God: that ye may know that ye have eternal life.  (I John 5:13)  All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (refuse) John 6:37

By now I hope I have helped you see why believing in God alone is not enough to be saved or have eternal life.  While God without question is worthy of all honor and praise, love and adoration, it is His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, that He wishes our eyes to look upon and our hearts to open.  For only Jesus has the power to save.  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:16) For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)  Wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)

Today the enemy of Christ and every Christian, the Devil, the father of lies, is feverishly at work (even behind pulpits) telling people there are many acceptable ways to God, and eternal life in heaven.  He’s telling people they don’t need to believe in Jesus, that believing in God alone is enough to save them, or they can do good works and go to heaven.  As always, the devil is lying.  The truth is not in him.  And out of ignorance of Gods’ word, (truth) innumerable people are blindly being led to Satans’ eternal destination; which is hell.  You don’t have to be one of his victims.  You have the word of God.

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)  But if the gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world (Satan) has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, (Jesus) who is the image of God should shine unto them. (2 Corthinians 4:3:4)  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (Matthew 7:15)  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine (gospel of Jesus) which ye have learned; and avoid them.  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches DECEIVE the hearts of the simple. (Romans 16:17:18)

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn their ears away from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.  (2 Timothy 4:3:4)    For I know this, that after my departing shall grievious wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20:29:30)

As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel (anything or anyone different that Jesus Christ) unto you than that ye have received let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:9)  Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father. (Galatians 1:3:4).

Gods’ word is a light unto our path.  In the verses above we can easily see that Jesus is the way to salvation and there is none other.  Believing in God alone is not enough to save us.  Believing in Jesus is.  If you have not done so yet, I pray you will trust in Him today.

Copyright © 2005 By Nancye Sims

The author, Nancye Sims, may be contacted at  .