“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” Psalm 32:1
In a popular movie of several years ago, the leading character told of his mother’s death. Then he added: “But she believed in heaven, so she’s covered!” In other words, she was saved simply for believing in the hereafter! The implication is that all one has to do to go to heaven is to believe that it exists.
This view is the opposite of what Jesus Himself taught in Matthew 7:21: “Not everyone who says unto me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” According to this passage, the old saying is true which says “Everybody that’s talkin’ ‘bout heaven ain’t going there!”
Do you remember the chief rulers who believed in Jesus but would not confess Him because of their fear of the Pharisees? (Jn. 12:42) If “faith only” saves, then those men would have been saved, although they were unwilling to confess the deity of our Lord!
No, “faith only” will not save anybody! James said, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” (Jas. 1:24) The only time “faith only” is mentioned in the Bible is in the very verse which condemns the doctrine believed by so many!
Our faith in the Supreme God, His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the inspiration of His Word, must move us to obey His commandments! We will be judged, not just on the basis of, “did we believe in heaven,” but “. . .upon what we have done, whether it be good or evil” (2 Cor. 5:10) – popular movie script notwithstanding!
My minute’s up!
