Thought for Today: “A Devil’s Faith”

In what is known as the five “solas” from the Protestant Reformation, it says, “We’re saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, as revealed in Scripture alone, to the glory of God alone.”

I’d like to just look at the first three, but not discount the remaining two.

We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, which is brought out by Paul in Ephesians 2:8-9. But the Apostle James says something that should make us take notice. In James 2:14 he said, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?”

Jesus confirmed a negative answer to James’ question. He said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)

We cannot think we can say yes to Jesus and go living as we please.

Consider the demons in hell. James said to those who say yes and live like the devil, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe–and tremble!” (James 2:19)

This sort of faith might be called “A Devil’s Faith.” Satan and the demons believe in Jesus Christ, but that belief never changed their lives or trajectory.

In the end, what will the person hear who says they believe but doesn’t change? Jesus will say, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41)