You believe in God? So do the devils...now what?

A lot of people say they believe in heaven. Some also say that they believe in Hell. Many say they believe in the God of the Bible.

But their actions in day to day living do not prove this to be true as they live more for the things of this world than they do for the Kingdom of God.

They say they believe in the Bible yet they do not do the things the Bible says that a true believer would be doing.  That is, if they truly believed.

Even the devils believe in God yet they do not obey Him…

Now what?

So many professing Christians today avoid doing the core things that God has purposed for all believers to do, namely making disciples and producing good works for the glory of God.

I get into so many arguments with professing Christians that to talk like this means that I am preaching "works based salvation".

This is far from the truth.

I am preaching a "works based life".

Works are what defines us as being separated from the world.

After all, salvation, once grasped, ought not to be handled lightly. We should be, as Paul said to the Philippians, working out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

A Christian does not do things in order to please ourselves as that would make us humanists and not Christians. Instead we eagerly do things to please our Father in heaven. We were created for His good pleasure and not the other way around.

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him...Colossians 1:16

Our faith must be producing good works for our Lord, if not then our faith is dead.

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:17-26

I came across this Proverb in my readings the other day:

He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD. Proverbs 17:15

It really sounds like this Proverb is speaking directly to the world we live in today and sadly this includes many who attend church and call themselves 'Christian'...

This Proverb is certainly addressing those professing Christians who fight constantly to defend their sins through unbiblical ideas such as what I call "greasy grace". They want to insist that they are only human and are bound to sin.

This again is humanism and not Christianity.

Humanism excuses and indulges in sin where Christianity rebukes and requires repentance of sin.

Humanism produces "we are only humans who will mess up" so we need to just accept it whereas being born again in Christ produces new creatures who have repented of their sins and live in daily sanctification by the word of God.

Humanism allows people to live in sin but Christianity requires that sin is repented of and that one "sins no more". After all, it is a matter of life and death, that is, if you truly believe in what the Bible says...

Jesus said to the women caught in adultery to "go, and sin no more"(John 8:11) while humanism would say that she is ok and, if mixed with a dash of supposed Christianity, they will say that she is more than ok as she is covered by grace, no matter what. Sad but this is what bad doctrines such as OSAS (once saved always saved) espouse.

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:3 (and 6)

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21-23

So with all that said, does a person's belief in God along with a lifestyle that includes willful sin still allow that person to be a citizen in God's Kingdom?

God says that you cannot serve two masters so the answer would be a simple, "NO".

God shares His thrown with no one, especially you or I.

If this is not so then what exactly separates you from the devils then?