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Easy Believism vs. Perseverance & Obedience

We live in a generation of "easy-believism Christianity" where intellectual assent to the Gospel message is highlighted and often separated from a need for obedient living and a perseverance in the faith.

The book of James is such a great summation of what genuine faith in Christ looks like. John MacArthur states that "James' point is not that a person is saved by works, but that there is a kind of apparent faith that is dead and does not save."

Here are some great verses from James...

James 1:6b "he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."

James 1:22 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

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?"

James 2:17 "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

Saving faith is also described clearly throughout Scripture as a persevering faith.

Colossians 1:23a "if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel"

1 John 2:3-6 "3We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."

Tell the Truth: The Whole Gospel to the Whole Person by Whole People by Will Metzger is an excellent resource for Gospel-sharing and a proper understanding of what true saving faith is and "God-centered evangelism." Another book I suggest (b/c of the author) is How Can I Be Sure I'm a Christian by Donald Whitney. Dr.Whitney has a LOT of great books on the Christian life.

Are you a victim of "easy-believism"? Are good works, obedience, and perseverance characteristics of your faith? Try reading 1 John & James...see what they have to say about faith.

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