Is believing enough?

[Pseud]

We're told in John 3:16, that Jesus died for our sins. If we accept that Jesus died for us, and believe with our heart, we are given eternal life. Is this alone enough?

We're taught in Matthew, that if we aren't forgiving of our brothers then that is how the heavenly Father will treat us. The story that teaches us this, is that of the servant freed from his debt by his master, who then throws someone who owes him money in prison. When his master hears of this, he has the servant thrown in prison himself.

We're also taught in James 2:14 "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?"

This leads me to think that just believing isn't enough, and yes we should live by God's law because it's a good way to live and we love God and should listen to what he says, but if we don't, then we don't get to join Him in His kingdom?

I know we shouldn't judge others, it's not our place to but simply by knowing this then are we not judging? How could we go about answering someone's question, 'How does one get into the kingdom of heaven?' without judging?

I don't think I really have any specific questions about this, really I just wanted other people's views wether you agree, or disagree, and why?

Andy

 

[Light Keeper]

Greetings Andy,
You touch on variouse teachings in your post, I would encourage you to re-read the scripture where you say that it teaches the believer not to judge others and read all the scripture. It teaches the "golden rule" which is "do not do to others what you yourself would not like to be done to you". So, if you are ready to be judged by Gods standards then you may judge others.
SHALOM.

 

[Pseud]

I disagree. I'm of the opinion that the book of Matthew doesn't have a "Golden Rule", and if I was forced to pick a "Golden Rule" from it, it would be Matthew 6:5-16 which talks about prayer, forgiving men for their sins and being forgiven by the Lord for your sins.

I also don't think it's right to judge anybody ever, ready to be judged by God or not.

 

[Light Keeper]

Excerpted from Compton's Interactive Bible NIV
The term "Golden Rule" is not found in Scripture, but is the popular way of referring to the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:12 and lu 6:31.
Jesus states, "Do to others as you would have them do to you."
(Matt. Ch.7 : 1 & 2 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.)
The teachings found in Matthew Chapters 5-7 are all regarding WISDOM
You have every right to disagree with me, but would you argue with Holy Scripture?
SHALOM
P/S
Matt Ch 7 : 24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

 

[Light Keeper]

Excerpted from Compton's Interactive Bible NIV
The term "Golden Rule" is not found in Scripture, but is the popular way of referring to the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:12 and lu 6:31.
Jesus states, "Do to others as you would have them do to you."
(Matt. Ch.7 : 1 & 2 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.)
The teachings found in Matthew Chapters 5-7 are all regarding WISDOM
You have every right to disagree with me, but would you argue with Holy Scripture?
SHALOM
P/S
Matt Ch 7 : 24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

 

[peaceful soul]

Belief is a passive mental activity
Faith is active and powerful. It enagages the mind to make a choice and calls your body to a response.

Faith is the way to salvation - not belief.
Faith is a more accurate translation of the scripture. The Greek word is pistis : pronounced: pis'-tis.

faith (pistis) = an action based up on a belief that is sustained by confidence.
Here are the ABCs of faith:
step 1: is to Believe
step 2: Act upon that belief
step 3: sustain that action with Confidence (it takes courage to do this)

Here is an application to faith:

(1) Read a scripture of promise (claim it as yours)
(2) Believe it to be true (because God said it to be)
(3) Act upon what it tells you to do (because God commands you to in order to obtain the promise)
(4) Keep believing and acting with confidence that God's promise will come true. Your courage will help you to keep acting although you haven't seen the promise yet fulfilled.

Belief should be faith. The only problem is that there is no verb to translate faith. You will have to make up a verb form for it. Personally, I use faithe as a adequate substitution.

Faith is what motivates God to act on your behalf. It lets loose the Holy Spirit to transform your life. God takes great pleasure in that.

 

[Pseud]

Makes a whole lot of sense ps

 

[Peter]

True faith brings about actions that demonstrate that faith.

Peace.

Peter