Satan has deceived multitudes into believing that they are Christians when they are not.
They look like Christians, they talk like Christians. Some go to the organized church and carry their Bibles under their arms, but they have never been born again spiritually.
When some of these lost people are confronted with the Gospel they deny it as their only means of salvation. Many believe that it is the Gospel plus what they are, or the Gospel plus what they have become. They are trusting in themselves.
Just because someone says that they believe that Jesus is the Christ, does not mean that they are Christians. Satan also believes that Jesus is the Christ.
Paul said, "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" 2 Timothy 3:5.
The power that they deny is the Gospel. In the Gospel God has defeated sin, death and the devil through his Son Jesus Christ and in doing so has reconciled us and the world unto himself, 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19.
Saving faith is faith that God's Son has victoriously defeated sin, death and the devil and has reconciled us to God. Saving faith is faith that Jesus has atoned for our sins and the sins of the whole world, 1 John 2:2. Saving faith is faith that says... "Because of what Jesus has accomplished in my name and on my behalf, I can stand before God as justified" Romans 3:26.
What it comes down to is what are you trusting in? Are you trusting in John Calvin? Are you trusting in the Catholic church? Are you trusting in who you are and in what you have become. There is no saving power in these things, none of those things can save. The only one who has the power to save is Jesus Christ. Therefore all of your faith should be directed to him and to him alone.
They look like Christians, they talk like Christians. Some go to the organized church and carry their Bibles under their arms, but they have never been born again spiritually.
When some of these lost people are confronted with the Gospel they deny it as their only means of salvation. Many believe that it is the Gospel plus what they are, or the Gospel plus what they have become. They are trusting in themselves.
Just because someone says that they believe that Jesus is the Christ, does not mean that they are Christians. Satan also believes that Jesus is the Christ.
Paul said, "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" 2 Timothy 3:5.
The power that they deny is the Gospel. In the Gospel God has defeated sin, death and the devil through his Son Jesus Christ and in doing so has reconciled us and the world unto himself, 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19.
Saving faith is faith that God's Son has victoriously defeated sin, death and the devil and has reconciled us to God. Saving faith is faith that Jesus has atoned for our sins and the sins of the whole world, 1 John 2:2. Saving faith is faith that says... "Because of what Jesus has accomplished in my name and on my behalf, I can stand before God as justified" Romans 3:26.
What it comes down to is what are you trusting in? Are you trusting in John Calvin? Are you trusting in the Catholic church? Are you trusting in who you are and in what you have become. There is no saving power in these things, none of those things can save. The only one who has the power to save is Jesus Christ. Therefore all of your faith should be directed to him and to him alone.