i believe...

james says in 2.10 (ms), do i hear you professing to believe in the one and only GOD, but then observe you complacently sitting back as if you had done something wonderful? that's just great. demons do that, but what good does it do them?

there are a lot of people who have strong beliefs in GOD, the bible, about CHRIST. they can recite creeds to you and catechisms and talk about doctrines of the trinity, quote bible verses but james says, "big deal!" just saying i believe in GOD is not enough to get into heaven. even the devil believes that.

the bible says in proverbs, the fool has said in his heart, there is no GOD. it's foolish to be an atheist and the devil is no fool. the devil believes in GOD. the devil is a great theologian. he knows a lot more bible than you do. he believes. his demons believe and shudder.

the word believe in greek means "to trust in, to cling to, to rely on, to commit yourself completely." folks, i believe in hitler but i'm no nazi. i'm a CHRISTian i believe in JESUS but it's more than just a head knowledge.

a lot of people are going to miss heaven by 18 inches. they've got it in their heads but not their heart. they say, "i believe in GOD." james says, "big deal. everybody believes in GOD." how do you have a creation without a creator but that's not enough.

being a real CHRISTian means not just saying "i believe." there is so much easy believeism in america. there was a newspaper in the west that did a survey and asked people all over their area about their belief and they found a high degree of belief. "sure i'm a believer. i'm a CHRISTian." do you attend church? no. do you donate your time? no, do you tithe? no. james says that's a phony belief. you're just conning yourself. a lot of people are doing that.

just some thoughts here on my front porch…