A true child of God's demonstration of faith, of believing in Jesus, is clearly evident, by their commitment and obedience to the anointing of Christ, in their everyday lives.
However, we've all heard many times how most Christians are simply identified as being "believers". And I believe it's very important to take a close look at the significance of being a believer vs. "believing in" the gospel of Christ. The bible does instill the importance of believing but it also points that believing alone does not constitute salvation.
KJ James 2:19. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Another good example is this man, Simon. In reading Acts 8:13 to verse 20 we find that Simon was a believer but we also see that Peter informed him that he was going to "perish with his money" for he thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!
Acts 8:13. Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. 14. Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15. who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18. Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19. saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.'' 20. But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!
Notice that the devils believe there is "one God". Simon believed, in verse 12, the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. But neither example points to believing "in" Jesus. In the following Scripture Jesus teaches the significance of believing "in".
John 3:14. "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15. "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17. "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18. "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19. "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20. "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21. "But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.''
In verse 21 Jesus identifies those that "believes in" as to those that does the truth. Truth is only given by the Holy Spirit (John 14: 16-17) and those that do the truth are those that are obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit, showing their faith in God.
Believing in something has a much deeper meaning than just believing. Believing "in" is the understanding to commitment. Just believing requires no commitment. Believing is the prelude to believing "in" but believing "in" is where we find the gifts of God through Christ Jesus, our Lord. The apostle Paul writes about the simplicity that is in Christ in 2 Corinthians 11:3. And it is, for those that will receive Christ, for it’s freely given to all that has an open heart for truth. For those that will accept and commit to the simplistic gospel of Christ will find the greatest treasure ever to be found, the presence of Christ to salvation! The presence of Christ brings truth, understanding and spiritual strength, accordingly to one's faith. Those that believe in Him, the Lord Jesus, will find that overflowing river of knowledge in the deep things of God giving them spiritual direction through this sin corrupted world.
Everyday brings new awakenings and victory over sinful flesh. In finding our daily victory over the desires of our sinful flesh is where the Son of God is manifested in those that have Christ, where their obedience to Christ is destroying the works of the Devil in their daily lives as described by the apostle John in the following Scripture.
1 John 3:8. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. 10. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.
Consider the depth of what John is saying..."Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God". This statement includes not only those that are not believers but also those that believe but do not commit to the righteousness of God that's revealed through the Holy Spirit. And as Jesus said, "But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.'' Those that do the truth are those that "believe in" and are obedient to the anointing of Christ. Consider this, would it be righteous for God to send all the unbelievers to Hell and save all the believers regardless if they're committed or not to God? Should someone that has no use for God but believes, reap eternal life with the rest of the saints vs. one that does not believe. Would God place that much significance to only believing, sending one to Hell for not believing and save the other for simply believing but living the same exact lifestyle as the unbeliever? I don't think so! That's why Jesus said "But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.''
Believing alone will not save anyone but "believing in" is where salvation will be found and secure. It is my belief that the reason we are given life in this world is to have the opportunity to taste the heavenly calling and for those that make that choice with a willing heart will not only be led in this life but will continue being led by the Holy Spirit through out eternity. Jesus promised in John 14:16 that the helper, the Holy Spirit is given "forever". Not just for this life but "forever" to include eternal life. Serving God is a choice. God's commandment to love is also a choice. And so is God's offer for eternal life. Not everyone will find that desire to live in God's righteousness. Today, we have the most wonderful opportunity to experience that part of eternity through the Holy Spirit.
I sincerely believe that those that do not find the joy and comfort of submitting to God's will in this life will never find eternal life no matter how much they believe. Believing "in" is accepting the whole package; line, hook and sinker! Jesus said in Matthew 7:21."Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
The apostle Paul wrote: Romans 1:16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith.''
For those that commit to Christ, and are obedient, the works of God are manifested through them as a light that shines in a dark place. For "The just shall live by faith.'' will be witnessed by all.
Religious beliefs have been packaged in many differing doctrines. And all doctrines are worshiped in vain if they are not aligned with God's "Way" of salvation. Matthew 15:8. `These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. 9. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' ''
Matthew 24:4. And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you."
Our guarantee of not being deceived, is to place our trust in the word of God that is found in our heart which is given by God's Holy Spirit. For the teachings and doctrines of man opens the doors, wide open, to deception.
Jeremiah 17:5. Thus says the Lord: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord.
The apostle Paul warned about the deception that would be taught by those appearing godly but were actually ministers of Satan.
2 Corinthians 11:12. But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. I sincerely believe that the apostle Paul in the verses above was warning everyone that Satan's ministers are going to appear Godly. He said these ministers are going to have the desire to be regarded just as the apostle Paul was in the things of which they boast. Many of these ministers of Satan are going to hold credentials showing they're trustworthy but their end will be according to their works. Jesus warned "Take heed that no one deceives you." Therefore sincerely seek the Lord and all His truths that are given through the anointing of Christ, closing all the doors of deception.