No. Salvation is more than accurate beliefs—more than “head knowledge.” Something has to change. Your life is transformed and you are born again—THAT is salvation. The old dies and you receive a new life. Everything changes, like the caterpillar that ceases to be a caterpillar and is reborn a butterfly.
James agrees. “You believe God is one. You do well. The demons also believe and shudder.” James 2:19. Even demons believe in Jesus—and they are not saved, are they?
Paul cast demons out of many people in the book of Acts. So many that others decided to get in on the action:
Then some of the wandering Jewish exorcists attempted to use the name of Jesus, saying, “I command you by the Jesus that Paul preaches!” Seven brothers were doing this. The evil spirit answered them, ‘I know Jesus, and I’ve heard of Paul, but who are you?’ Then the possessed man leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed, so that they ran out of the house naked and wounded” Acts 19: 13-16.
What a story! The demons in the man admitted they knew Jesus and Paul, but then asked, “Who are you?” This is what happens when a lost person dabbles in spiritual warfare. You can’t battle the devil without Christ! So he beat those seven brothers senseless for their mistake.
Note that demon possession IS real, and is common in lands filled with idol worship. Your soul is a door—some who don’t open it to Jesus, will open it to the enemy, often through occult, witchcraft, drugs (“sorceries” in the Bible), idol worship, satan worship, or false religions.
How did the people respond?
“Fear fell on all of them and the name of the Lord was magnified. And many who had become believers came confessing their practices; many who practiced magic burned their books in front of everyone. They calculated the value and found it to be 50,000 pieces of silver [several million dollars]! Thus, the Lord’s message flourished” 19:17-20.
Faith is more than belief—invite God to transform your life.
ΑΩ
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