James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
We can conclude from the above that belief can be different then saving faith...what is the difference? One is born again and other isn't.
C. I. Scofield also makes notes on the difference of those who profess to believe and those who are born again.
TRUE BELIEVERS
"And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace" (Luke 7:50).
"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42).
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand" (John 10:27-29).
"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day" (John 6:37,39).
"And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut" (Matt. 25:10).
"Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference" (Rom. 3:22).
"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." (Rev 19:7-8).
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine" (John 10: 14).
"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his" (2 Tim. 2:19).
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life" (John 6:47).
"Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world" (John 17:24).
"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6).
"But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition, but of them that believe to the saving of the soul" (Heb. 10:39).
PRETENDERS
"Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, be continued with Philip. But Peter said unto him ... Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the *ht of God" (Acts 8:13,21).
"They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they bad been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us" (John 2:19).
"But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him" (John 6:64-66).
"Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not" (Matt. 25:11-12).
"Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers! how can ye escape the damnation of hell?" (Matt. 23:28,33).
"And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness" (Matt. 22:11-13).
"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" (Matt. 7:22-23).
"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?" (James 2:14).
"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance" (Heb. 6:4-6).
"Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him" (Heb. 10:38).
http://www.biblebelievers.com/scofield/ ... tly10.html
Paul spoke of "Believing in vain" (Cor. 15:2). This is non-saving faith. Though it has many marks of true saving faith, the evidence of temporary faith soon appears. It lacks the following characteristics of saving faith:
- (1) continuance in trusting Christ, and in devotion to Him and His service;
(2) desire to be useful in Christ's church;
(3) attendance to Christian duty;
(4) love of prayer and the Word of God and of assembling with God's people in worship;
(5) devotion to loving the people of God as such;
(6) progress in knowledge of self, sin, and the Savior;
(7) progress in loving holiness and hating sin, with increased conviction of and humility concerning personal sinfulness.
Regeneration is inseparable from its effects, one of which is saving faith. Without regeneration it is morally and spiritually impossible to savingly believe in Christ. Except a man be born again, he cannot see, he cannot understand, he cannot come to Christ (John 3:3; 6:37, 44; 1 Cor. 2:14). Regeneration is the renewing of the heart and mind; and the renewed heart and mind must act according to their nature.
I hope this helps you understand why I believe what I believe.
jason
http://www.gracesermons.com/hisbygrace/faith.html
