by Michael E Brooks

“And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak.” (2 Cor 3:13)

The difference between mere belief and true saving faith may be summed up in one word – “therefore”. Genuine faith results in consequences. It causes us to act. It establishes parameters to our lives. Because of our faith we do certain things. Because of our faith we refuse to do other things. An incident in Kathmandu, Nepal a few years ago illustrates this point well.

Ramesh is a young Hindu man who worked part time for an American dentist who lives in Kathmandu. His older sister, Sunita, who had become a Christian, also worked with the family as a fulltime cook and housekeeper. One day Ramesh finished his duties about noon and, being hungry, fixed a piece of meat he found in the refrigerator for his lunch. He then took it out to where Sunita was working and sat to eat it.

After taking a bite Ramesh exclaimed, “Sister, this is good. What is it – buffalo?” She answered, “No, it is beef.” (To Hindus the cow is a sacred animal, whereas the domesticated water buffalo is not). Hearing this, Ramesh widened his eyes in shock and said, “Someone killed a goddess?!!” Extending his fork with a piece of beef impaled on it to arm’s length he mournfully said, “Oh poor goddess, I am so sorry someone killed you!” He then fell silent, and after a moment slowly lowered the fork to his mouth and took the bite and ate it, continuing on to finish the piece of beef. After another pause, he turned to Sunita and said, “If Dr. Jerry has someone kill another goddess, would you please save me a piece?”

I am sure that Ramesh still believes that the cow is sacred, a divine animal. Yet that belief will never again restrain him from eating beef if he has the opportunity. He has the belief, but not the conviction that leads to a “therefore.”

James calls this kind of intellectual acceptance of a concept “demon faith.” “You believe that there is one God? You do well. Even the demons believe – and tremble” (Jas 2:19). Genuine faith must be much more that that. It must lead us to obedience. Jesus taught, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter they kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven” (Mt 7:21). True faith is obedient trust in God. Nothing else is sufficient.