Is Belief in God Enough?

By Arthur J Licursi

Some might consider themselves to be “saved” from judgment and a member of “the church” only because they “believe in God.” Sadly, many may be considered to be saved when they actually are not saved by God’s love, grace and salvation that may only be found in Christ alone. 

“Belief in God” is not enough for salvation!

“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” (James 2:19) If belief in God alone is enough, then the devils (demons) are also saved.

In Luke 4:33-34 we read “And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, ³⁴ Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.” These devils (demons) recognized Jesus of Nazareth, but are they saved? No!

At Pentecost Peter said this. “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel , that BY THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. ¹¹ This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. ¹² NEITHER IS THERE SALVATION IN ANY OTHER: FOR THERE IS NONE OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:10-12)

The word “believe” in our modern English language has become watered down today to mean a mere mental ascent to something. Sure, I would guess the vast majority of people in the world believe God exists. The Muslims believe in a god (Allah). Agnostics believe in the existence of a god of some sort, but not in any specific definition of god.

I’ve heard others say this. “He must be saved, he has a good heart.” This is anther false hope because Paul wrote; Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Obviously our random acts of kindness and our good intentions are not adequate to save us. A person’s so called good heart is not sufficient to offset his sin nature and sinful acts. Only the shed blood of the innocent Lord Jesus Christ is sufficient to pay for our sins.

The real issue and question is this. Does one trust in and rely upon the shed blood and death of Jesus Christ as their only means and claim of salvation?

If we want to be saved we need one thing; faith – that is, trust and reliance in “His blood.”

Romans 3:25 (Jesus) Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation THROUGH FAITH IN HIS BLOOD, to declare his righteousness FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS that are past, through the forbearance of God;

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I (Paul) delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES; ⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Thus Paul said; Acts 16:31 And they answered, BELIEVE IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST [give yourself up to Him, take yourself out of your own keeping and entrust yourself into His keeping] AND YOU WILL BE SAVED, [and this applies both to] you and your household as well.