rumitoid

"In other words, believing isn’t what makes someone a Christian. Nor is doing good works. Either one of those things, on their own, fall short. Why? Because if you simply believe in Jesus and the Gospel, but don’t actually obey Jesus and the Gospel, then you don’t actually believe Jesus and the Gospel. Do you see what I mean? Because if you believed that this was real you would change your life. On the other hand, tons of people around the world live moral lives. There are all sorts of motivations to do good things. But unless you’re motivation is coming from a desire to follow Jesus, then you’re not a Christian. That component of believing is essential. But so is the component of doing. It seems clear that this is what Jesus said. And it also squares with the teachings of the Apostles."

"So, in summary, what is it that makes someone a Christian? Believing in Jesus and his Gospel and responding to it by our best attempts at obedience. So long as we desire to follow Jesus, we’re Christians. We will all fall short of being obedient. We will all believe wrong things. That’s okay. That’s what Grace is for. But none of those things invalidate our standing as Christians. Only a rejection of Christ could do that."

Read more: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/revangelical/2014/09/06/what-makes-someone-a-christian.html#ixzz3CdyISNIe

Do you agree or disagree? Is there more to it than what the above authors says?

rich boise Loc: Idaho

I can only partially agree with this and my disagreement may be more a question of semantics . Satan and his demons know that Jesus is God and they know what he has done. That obviously is not enough. On the other hand "we are justified by faith". Faith is believing. I would say the difference is "faith" is believing in your heart. In practical terms; If you believe in your heart that Jesus came in the flesh, died to pay your debt, and rose again, if you truly understand who Jesus is and what He has done for you, you can't help but respond. When you respond to this love, with love, you will obey his commands. The justification, being counted righteous, comes from the belief. The works, obeying (serving), follows that justification. The good works is earthly evidence of a previous saving belief. You enter the door of salvation only by faith. Once inside you develope an inheritance by works.

rumitoid

Very well put and I believe we are in perfect agreement.