“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” -James‬ ‭2:19‬ ‭(NIV)

It’s not enough to just believe in God, or even to pray to Him, while still conducting ourselves like any nonbeliever. From our faith in Him and His Son’s finished work, we are forever changed through the Holy Spirit, which is shown outwardly in our works.

There are some, however, who treat salvation as a Get Out of Hell Free card, believing that once you’re saved, you can sin as you please while you’re here on earth.

Following the Protestant Reformation in the early 1500s, there was a massive split from the Roman Catholic Church. Up to that point, the only Christian church bodies were the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. (Those two churches split in 1054, in the East-West Schism.) The most egregious point of contention was the sale of indulgences, which supposedly freed lay purchasers from their sin.

In Protestantism, there are five tenets/slogans known as the Five solae (plural of the Latin sola, meaning “alone”) summarizing major theological differences from the Roman Catholic Church:

1. Sola scriptura (by scripture alone): because the Word is authoritative, it needs to be taught; the Word alone is enough to glean doctrine for salvation; the Word is inerrant; and that the Holy Spirit can help believers read and understand the Word, by guiding them to discussion within the church.
2. Sola fide (by faith alone): that by faith in Christ, we are saved. This is corollary to the first point, and supports the reformers’ desire to return to a direct and personal connection between us and Christ.
3. Solus Christus (Christ alone): believers should go directly to Christ, and not through the Pope as a mediator.
4. Sola gratia (grace alone): salvation is a gift from God, given us through the Holy Spirit, thanks to the finished work of Christ. Believers do not achieve salvation through merits of one’s works, because no one deserves salvation.
5. Soli Deo gloria (glory to God alone): since salvation is only possibly through God’s will and action, all glory goes to Him…not any humans, no matter what their title or rank.

Even back in the 1500s, some took the sola fide approach to the extreme, living sinful lives since they felt their salvation by faith was a given. There are those who do that today. This approach is called antinomianism.

The question is not whether salvation can be lost (it can’t), but whether someone who perpetually lives a life of sin under the assumption of the was ever saved in the first place. We are all sinners, but when we come to God broken and truly repentant, He transforms us from within through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

As a result, the fruit of our reborn lives is God-glorifying living. Sure, we all still stumble, perhaps even for a season, but then we turn back to God. So if you or someone you know believes you can live just like any unbeliever, consider turning away from your lifestyle right now and kneel before the cross. Walk this way. I can testify that you will know when you’re saved, because that point in time will mark the death of the past you, and the amazing and God-glorifying future He has ahead for you.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. -2 Corinthians 3:1

“Well, I’m not Jesus.”

That’s what some people say to excuse themselves when they choose their way over God’s way. Maybe it’s unforgiveness, judgment, or hatred. Maybe it’s being stubborn in acting in such a way that clearly hurts others.

We are not called to be Jesus. We are called to pursue Him, and in doing so, are transformed with each step over our lifetimes into Christlikeness.

So, you’re absolutely right. You’re not Jesus. But as a professed follower, you look to Him as the ultimate role model. Jesus excused our sins by covering them with His blood. He excused us from eternal damnation when He rose from the dead. So what excuse do we have to not live for Him in word, thought, and deed?

Re-form that haughty, dismissive excuse in the spirit of humility and gratitude: “I’m not Jesus, but thank you for showing me where I can work on being more like Him.”

We can weigh ourselves down in our climb up to Christlikeness by burdening ourselves with our attitudes, or we can die to self a little more each day and keep soaring ever upward to God’s glory.

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. -James‬ ‭1‬:‭26‬ (NIV)

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. -Proverbs 12:18

Do you profess to be a true believer, but batter and lacerate others with your sharp tongue?

There is more to being a believer than saying you’re one. You can even talk to God on a regular basis, but if you then turn around and injure His children with the power of words, then you have separated yourself from Him in sin. You are actually walking apart from Him.

That first verse comes from this block in James:

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. (‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭22-26‬ NIV)

We all sin. We all fail the Lord daily. But if the words you choose to unleash on others are not healing, but harming, then you have burdened yourself with sin, and should bring it to the Lord in repentance. And be sure to go to the person(s) you’ve harmed and ask their forgiveness as well. Now, you may not get it. That’s okay. The most important thing is to know that you are His hands and feet, and you can continue doing work in His name, and making Him known, by walking the walk, and talking the talk.