I can honestly say that it is those who profess to believe that often, by action, convince others not to believe. It is one thing to be a believer and another to be a disciple.
"You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe-and shudder!"
James 2:19
What good is belief when there is no response to it. If you truly believe, it will be seen by all. The glory of Christ cannot be hidden. If His Spirit is in you, a believer, you can not be hidden.
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill can not be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand so that it gives light to the whole house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father Who is in heaven."
God does not but us under a basket. If we are the light, we can not be hidden. If we truly believe, we will be noticed by all and God will be glorified, not us. Yes, there are people who profess to believe in God. They say they are Christians and I believe that they truly believe they are. They believe in God. They believe in Jesus. After all, he is there home boy! Sadly they do not believe in the Holy Spirit. The life giving Spirit of power Who convinces us of our sins and of the judgment and of righteousness. The Spirit Who causes us to truly believe and leads us to repentance and transforms our lives. Repentance is not just a confession. Repentance by definition is a change of mind. A new way of thinking and living. A way that is by faith and not by sight. Don't be fooled by the word "believer". Many believe. You can not believe in God the Father, and the Son and not believe in the Holy Spirit which really is what people do when they believe and don't change. In this case you are not believing in the One True God. The Triune God. There is no power in believing in any thing else. There is no power in believing in Jesus if you are not certain He is God. There is no power in believing in Jesus if you don't believe in the Holy Spirit Who through repentance dwells in you.
True belief in the True God has power! True belief leads to acceptance. Acceptance leads to repentance. Repentance leads to new everlasting life. There are many who in the day of Judgment who will say
"Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do mighty works in your name?" And I will then declare to them, "I never knew you, depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."
Matt 7:22-23
Right before this Jesus plainly says
"Not everyone who says to me 'Lord,Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does he will of my Father who is in heaven."
Matt 7:21
To say, Lord, Lord is to speak with a certain intimacy. These are people who believe in the Lord, and think they are saved. Jesus says, in return not all who claim to know me will get into heaven but only those who do my Fathers will. These are the ones who have truly repented and live by faith. Many people preach, but only few live.
Don't be misguided by all those who claim to believe. Don't judge God by works of those people. Read the word. God's word is full of life. Judge only the word and the works of Christ. God's word is pure and true no matter what man does with it. See for your self. And if not that, then see the true works of God through those who are not only believers, but disciples. You can see God in his people.
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