“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble!” James 2:19
The matter of salvation can certainly get confusing. Especially within a church that does not speak the truth and the whole truth of God’s Holy Word. For a long time, 1 Corinthians 12:3 seemed to confuse me on this very subject.
“Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.” 1 Cor. 12:3
A particular individual close to my heart could mouth the words that Jesus is Lord. Yet, I often wondered about their salvation because of their behavior. Reflecting back on my own walk with God, I can tell you that at Confirmation in a Lutheran church in 1959 I uttered, “Jesus is my Lord.” I can also tell you that in the US Navy in 1963, I signed the Gideon statement in the New Testament to this effect. But I tell you that it wasn’t until May of 1978 that I gave God my heart. Prior to this time, and for the first 32 years of my life, it was all head knowledge. I could mouth the words like everyone else. Very easily too. Yet, there is no doubt in my mind that I was not saved until the belief moved from my head and down into my heart.
Ask your pastor “Who is a Christian?” and you might get a multitude of answers. At least one pastor I knew refused to answer the question directly and instead said to me: “Many people believe they are Christian if they get together and worship on Sunday morning.” If this sounds like your belief in what a Christian is, it is time to wake up before you face the Judge.
