We all know John 3:16, where Jesus said, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Belief — or faith in Jesus — is the key to being saved because Scripture also says: "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Having faith in Jesus Christ means that we believe in him as the Son of God, who came to earth to die for our sins and provide a way for us to have eternal life. However, faith in Jesus also involves living a life that reflects our belief in him, which includes obeying his commandments and striving to live according to his teachings. We cannot say we accept Jesus as our Lord and then not obey what he asks us to do.
James asks: What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead (James 2:14-17).
When we have faith, we can also walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, working mighty miracles in Jesus' name. Jesus himself said, "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father" (John 14:12). At another time he said, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:20).
So let us choose faith today. Let us choose to accept Jesus as our Savior. Paul wrote: "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). If you haven't accepted Jesus as your Lord, do it now. And let us also choose to translate this faith into action, walking in obedience and power.
God be with you.
