Unbelief is a serious thing and it is often misunderstood. Even the demons believe Yeshua is God, but that does not mean they are saved. No, they are the enemy. They believe Yeshua is God but do not submit to his authority.
19You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
Our belief is not one of recognizing that Yeshua is God, but rather submitting to and living according to his instruction and example. In that way we demonstrate our belief.
Think of it this way. If I believe in gravity, my actions show it. I hold the handrail going up stairs. I don’t walk off a roof or over a cliff. My behaviors and attitudes reflect what I believe. It affects my life.
The Peril of Unbelief
12Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end,
15while it is said,
“TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE,
DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME.”
16For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? 17And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.
James points out that many who identified with his name were rebellious against him and were held accountable for not submitting to his authority. The warning is clear. Do not harden your hearts because of our desires for sin. Turn from sin and obey the Father. Pursue relationship with the Father through Yeshua.
6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.