Hi guys, I am a Christian but I have a question about whether or not belief in God is enough to be saved.
Here are some verses that show that belief = salvation.
You guys get the point. And this sounds great. But, what about this?
The way I understand it, "belief" in Jesus Christ isn't enough to be saved. True belief in Jesus will result in fruit that is evident by a lifestyle change, a heart change: that you want nothing else to do with the world that satisfies the needs of the flesh but really only care about satisfying God and being led by the Spirit.
However, if this is the case, what do we make of the first 3 verses I posted? They clearly seem to state that belief is all that is needed for salvation.
Can somebody please shine a light on this issue for me? I think how we understand salvation really changes how we live our lives and especially how we evangelize to others (in other words, if belief isn't enough to be saved, we shouldn't be spreading that as a final end).
Thank you for your help.
Saved from What?
Saved in Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Greek is....
4982. sozo sode'-zo from a primary sos (contraction for obsolete saos, "safe"); to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively):--heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.
Luke 7:50:And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
What was the woman saved from? (Luke 7:47-48)
Luke 18:42:And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.
What was the man saved from? (Luke 18:41)
Mark 16:16:He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
What is ''saved'' here?
Matthew 14:30:But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
What was Peter saved from?
Matthew 27:40:And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
What did the people say Jesus was to save himself from?
Luke 19:10:For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Who did Jesus come to save?
Acts 2:40:And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Who were the people to save themselves from?
Matthew 9:21-22:21For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 22But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
What was the woman saved from?
Luke 8:50:But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
What was the girl saved from?
Luke 17:19:And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
What was this man saved from?