SCRIPTURE: James 2:19 "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."
ILLUSTRATION: Two men are on a plane, an announcement comes over the loud speakers and says "This plane is going to crash, please put on the parachute that is under your seat." both men believe that a parachute will save them, but only one of the two men are willing to put it on. it's obvious which one would be saved, it's the one who put the parachute on. (Ray Comfort uses this illustration often)
APPLICATION: Many people "believe" in the Lord Jesus Christ, they "believe" he is the Son of God, they "believe" he died on the cross and rose from the dead, they "believe" that he will save them, but just giving a mental assent to this does not save anyone, it's when we trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and put our entire confidence in him. like the man who put the parachute on, he didn't just "believe" (give mental assent) that it would save him he actually put it on and that parachute became his ONLY savior. There are millions of people who "believe" Christ is the Savior and the only payment for sin but they have never repented of their sin and put on the Lord Jesus Christ, How sad! Have you ever received Christ as your ONLY Saviour from sin? You can, by calling upon him in faith, repenting of your sins and believing his promise of everlasting life placing all your weight upon Him.
Romans 13:14 "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."
Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved"
Mark 1:15 "And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."