THE Lord Jesus Declared to Nicodemus, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:16-18).
These may be the most familiar and best loved verses in all the Bible, and rightly so, for they emphasize the willingness of our Heavenly Father to save those who will place their faith and trust in His only begotten Son, Jesus.
It is unfortunate that this beautiful passage has been twisted to support a popular but false religious theory. Of course, sectarians have long contended for "salvation by faith only." Lately, it seems that some of our brethren have agreed that faith or belief is the one true essential to salvation and fellowship; therefore, everything else -- baptism, service, obedience -- is just "topping."
Because the Bible says here -- and elsewhere -- that the believer shall be saved, many have assumed that every believer will be justified in the sight of God. It is not at all unusual to hear preachers exhort their listeners to "just believe and be saved." But with just a little more study such teachers would discover that there is more to salvation than simply belief in Jesus. In fact, it is possible to believe in Jesus and still be lost!
The enemies of Jesus who saw His mighty works were forced to concede that He was a man of God. Peter insisted in his sermon on Pentecost that these men by "wicked hands" crucified Jesus, "a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know" (Acts 2:22,23). After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead His enemies wondered, "What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him" (John 11). Certainly, no one will argue that these men, who witnessed the miracles of Jesus and were forced to acknowledge His power, but still refused to confess Him as Lord and obey His will, were pleasing in the sight of the Father.
"The devils also believe, and tremble" (James 2:19). Satan and his angels know full well that Jesus is the Christ. An unclean spirit once cried out from within his host and victim and confessed, "Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God" (Mark 1:24). The Bible teaches that there is a pit of fire "prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41). Such "believers" will indeed be lost!
In John 12 we find another reference to "believers" who failed to please God. "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of man more than the praise of God" (verses 42,43). These cowards "believed on Jesus" but would not confess Him as Lord. The cost of discipleship -- losing their privileged status and position -- was more than they were willing to pay. No one can deny that those Jewish rulers had faith or belief. It is just as clear that their faith was not strong enough to lead them to confession, repentance and obedience.
So, then, look at what we have. In one place the Bible says "he that believeth on him [Jesus] is not condemned." But in other passages we find a record of those who did believe but were still condemned! Does the Bible contradict itself? The answer lies in the term "believer."
What did the chief rulers in John 12 have in common with the enemies of Christ and even Satan himself? Just this: While they believed on Jesus, they would not confess Him as Lord and render obedience unto His will. Clearly, God will not save the disobedient believer but He will save every believer who obeys His commands.
In fact, Jesus was speaking of the obedient believer in John 3 when He promised eternal life to "whosoever believeth." The Lord made no promise to save the cowardly or the casual believer -- one who knows the truth but has a "so what?" response. Instead, it is the believer who demonstrates a ready acceptance that Jesus will redeem from his sins.
James described this kind of faith as "perfect" or "complete" (James 2:22). Faith without the fruit of obedience is only a dead faith and an empty belief (verse 20). There is much more to salvation "just believe." Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).
"Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."