Every think or say – “well they mentioned God they are probably saved”? Is the fact that someone mentions God of any use in assessing their true position with God? What if we add the fact that they are “good people” or “they grew up in church” or “they worship God in their own way”? Do these things suggest anything regarding someone being in right relationship with God?
What does scripture say about this subject? We certainly see many gods (small g false) in the scriptures, not just Israel’s God (capital G true), but also Pagan gods such as Baal (1 Kings 18), Diana (Acts 19) and even Herod (Acts 12). We also see people, after the death burial and resurrection of Jesus, who are described as “God fearers” (Cornelius - Acts 10) or “worshipers of God” (Lydia - Acts 16). What do we make of these various gods or professions regarding God or gods? It makes sense to see how God responded to them and then try to see them in the same light He does.
In the days Elijah served as a prophet to God, most in Israel would have called themselves religious. If asked if they believed in God, worshiped God, served God, the answer for many would be a hearty yes! Of course for most they would be referring to their worship of the Pagan god Baal. Not the true God, but at least they were worshipping a god sincerely, that should count for something – right?
God’s response is quite striking as He has Elijah set up a test to prove the identity of the true God and expose Baal as a fraud. The end result is all Baal’s four hundred and fifty prophets are killed for their rebellion against God (1 King 18:20-40). Later in Israel’s history (2 Kings 10:18-25) all those who claim allegiance to Baal are killed. This may seem harsh or even evil and we have no mandate/right from God to go out and kill people for their religious beliefs, but it is completely consistent with God’s call to Israel to drive out/kill the Pagan god worshipping people in the Promised Land. We also know the future Promised Land (New Heavens/Earth) will only be inhabited by worshipers of the true God saved in Christ (Rev. 21:22-27) and those who worship other gods “idolatry”, as the worshipers of Baal did, are left to punishment (Rev. 21:8).
What about the New Testament? Diana, as mentioned above, is just one of many gods in first century Roman culture. An example of the true God’s response to that god obsessed culture is found in Paul’s address to the people at Athens (Acts 17:22-34). Paul, led by the Spirit, makes it abundantly clear that their vast array of gods does not contain a single one of use for salvation. He declares that their gods are useless and that they must repent to be saved (Acts 17:29-30). He goes on to base his claim of Christ’s uniqueness/necessity for salvation in His role in the judgment of man for sin and His resurrection as proof for His authority as God (V. 31).
It seems almost self-evident that worshipping a man whether Herod, or other Roman Emperors, who demanded to be worshiped as gods, is not wise or useful for saving anyone. God’s response to Herod’s accepting people’s worship is quick judgment and death (Acts 12:20-24). It would be easy to see these as extreme cases of ancient Pagan idolatry which have little bearing on the folks we know and interact with today, but there is more to consider.
What about these folks described earlier as “God fearers” or “worshipers of God”, surely we would assume they are in right relationship with God. In the case of Cornelius the “God fearer” we see a man who does it all right, he not only fears God, but leads his household spiritually, prays always, gives to the poor and even receives a visit form an angel (Acts 10:1-4). If anyone is in right relationship to God surely he fits the bill. How does God respond to this worship of the God of Israel? He sends Peter to him to present the gospel including the following conclusion of the teaching:
Acts 10:42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” (NKJV)
During this presentation of the gospel the Holy Spirit comes upon the listeners, they believe and are baptized in the name of the Lord (Acts 10:44-48). What was the “God fearer” Cornelius missing? Forgiveness of sins/salvation in the name of Jesus Christ! The other things he did were good, but also useless if the name/work of Jesus is not heard and believed upon for salvation. This conversion is unique in one sense in that it demonstrated the gospel’s intention to save people who beleive from every tribe, tongue, people and nation, something hard to believe for a Jewish convert like Peter. What about the other “worshiper of God” Lydia?
Lydia, like Cornelius, recognized the God of Israel. She prayed regularly and we have every reason to believe she was a “good” person by most standards (Acts 16:13-14). What is God’s response to this “God worshipping” woman? He sends her Paul to share the Gospel. We even see that her own level of worshipping was so far from sufficient that the Lord had to open her heart to heed Paul’s message (Acts 16:14). Later in the same chapter we have the account of a Philippian jailor’s conversion and we find the words which we should now expect (Underlining added) -
Acts 16:29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household. (NKJV)
Notice the connection between believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, being saved and believing in God! There is no reconciliation to God, knowing God or saving belief in God outside faith in Jesus Christ. Those who worship Baal, Dianna, Herod, or even affirm the God of the Bible, must be born again (of Holy Spirit) through the preaching of the word, resulting in faith in Jesus Christ to be saved. The entire Bible testifies to the uniqueness of Christ to do that which is necessary for us to be reconciled to God - provide atonement for our sins! No amount of worldly goodness, mention of god(s), sincere devotion to god(s) or religious activity can do what Jesus alone can do! This is exactly why those who understand their sin and God’s righteousness, who believe Jesus really solved this problem for them at the cross, cannot help but give Him glory by name.
We could make allowance for nervousness/fear of witnessing that all experience to some degree and might cause us to resort to the generic use of “god” at times. However, to not recognize the uniqueness of Jesus among other gods or the absolute necessity of Him for salvation is to neither know nor believe in the true God!
Why is it that we are told:
Col. 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (NKJV)
The names Lord, Jesus, Christ, Messiah are not magic words that do something special for the person who simply utters them. The significance is in what and who they describe. Jesus (The Christ/Messiah) is the only one able to save because He accomplished what was necessary to reconcile sinners to God.
We can’t know God or be saved accept by faith in the person and work of Jesus. We owe our lives now and eternally to Jesus’ work, dare we allow for confusion in giving glory simply to god when even today that could mean: nature, Mormon god, mysticism, Kim Jong-Il, self, Buddha, or the ever popular, but equally false god who saves “good people” who may talk about god without knowing or acknowledging Jesus Christ.
If only Jesus can save, we should be careful to mention Him by name often and even be concerned when anyone speaks often of God, but does not freely and enthusiastically affirm the necessity of Jesus Christ for salvation.
What if Peter or Paul had bypassed Cornelius and Lydia, because they seemed like “good people” who knew God?
Acts 4:10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (NKJV)
Thank You Jesus!
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