“For if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24). While it is abundantly clear that “faith alone” will not save, it is just as certain that without faith we cannot be saved. What if one refuses to believe? What shall be the consequences of such a decision?
First of all, we could not be pleasing to God without faith. “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for him that cometh must belie He is, and that He is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). The remainder of this chapter is devoted to a list of “worthies” who succeeded in God’s eyes because they had faith and acted on that faith.
Secondly, Jesus made it abundantly clear what would be the end of those who do not believe: “He that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). In fact, on another occasion, He did stress the present condition of the unbeliever: “He that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18).
Then again, Jesus said, “He that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). Oh yes, one shall see physical life, but not that eternal life promised to the believer. While one might live — even live long — in this world, our original text plainly states that if one does not have faith in the Lord, he shall die in his sins.
Faith is vitally important to the salvation of our souls. Have the faith that works by love, and live, or suffer the consequences.
Leroy Sedgwick
