Faith Is Essential

Faith in Christ is essential to salvation.  Some in our society do not believe this, even many who claim to believe in Jesus.  The fact is, our nation is religiously pluralistic and has drifted from its founding principals.  Freedom of religion has developed from freedom to serve Christ according to conscience, to freedom to any religious belief and practice with immunity from condemnation (unless you actually believe the Bible).  Still, the Bible teaches faith in the Lord is necessary.

Jesus said, “If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (Jn. 8:24).  Jesus is the I AM (Jn. 8:58).  He is the one and only Savior (Acts 4:12).  He was God in the flesh and gave His life that we might be set free from sin (Matt. 1:23; Jn. 1:1, 14, 29).  He now sits at the right hand of God and will return to judge mankind (Heb. 1:1-3; Acts 17:30, 31).  Any and all who deny this will lose their souls.

Sincerity in religion is simply not enough.  The Muslim, Jew, Hindu, or Buddhist who is devoted to his religious practices will still go to hell.  Why?  Because he refuses to believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.  Without this faith, he cannot have his sins forgiven and go to heaven.

If you believe the New Testament, that it is the inspired, inerrant Word of God, then you must agree with this.  If you do not believe faith in Christ is essential to salvation, that sincere Jews, Muslims, etc. will be saved, then you simply do not believe the Word of God.  That means, you do not have faith and will lose your soul too.  How can a man say he believes God’s Word but deny what it teaches—either in part or in whole?  He cannot.

Faith is essential.  Faith in Christ that results in obedience to His will (Heb. 5:9).  Do you have it?

And now why are you waiting?
Arise and be bapitzed,
and wash away your sins,
calling on the name of the Lord.
- Acts 22:16

Conversion
By B.F. Manire