Today John Piper responds to the question, What Do I Have to Believe to Be Saved? I absolutely agree with the response, insofar as it goes. But the one thing we have to keep in mind: it’s not enough to believe in Jesus and be saved. The entire text is, “If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Obviously, I don’t believe in a works-based gospel. I certainly believe in faith. The belief part exercises our faith. We have to believe in the seeming impossible.
However, the confession part exercises our works. It’s not enough, in my opinion, to confess my sins. That’s required, but it doesn’t stop there. It was a pretty serious statement: “kyrios Iesous”–Jesus is Lord. For the Roman citizen, it flew in the face of allegiance to Caesar. It is a statement that acknowledges the sovereignty of God.
It is kind of like pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States–it involves loyalty and obedience. Except that in the Kingdom of God we don’t get to vote on our government, nor do we get to decide to be conscientious objectors. This is a kingdom, not a democracy.
Is it possible to have only half of the formula? I can’t imagine that real belief wouldn’t yield real obedience, but I see plenty of examples of attending church without making Christ Lord. James says that we need both faith and works: that works demonstrate the quality of faith.
It is not enough to believe that America is a great nation in order to be an American citizen. One also has to take an oath of citizenship and obey her laws. It’s the same with the Kingdom of God: if you want in, you have to proclaim your loyalty and show it through obedience to the King.
Update: Related Posts
- Indelible spirituality from Missions Misunderstood compares a tattoo with membership in a church. No, really. It’s a hugely worthwhile read.
