The two terms are often used interchangeably. However, spiritually speaking, there is a significant difference ...
- 'Belief' has to do with an intellectual acceptance of facts, a point of view that fails to move the needle.
- 'Faith' is transformative, a trust and commitment resulting in a change of one's behavior.
Spurgeon - It is not enough to simply believe certain things about God; one must also trust Him and act upon that trust. Belief is a necessary component of faith, but not the whole picture. Faith is belief in action, a complete and active reliance on God and His promises.
If you ask the average person if he 'believes' in Jesus Christ, he would probably interpret the question as ... 'Do you believe that He existed?' Many would answer in the affirmative, but that doesn't mean they've put their 'faith' in Him.
Church pews are filled with people who mentally acknowledge that the Son of God offered Himself on Calvary's cross to redeem mankind, yet they have never surrendered to His Lordship. They mistakenly think that salvation comes by way of an outward 'belief' system, rather than an inward 'faith' that results in a transformed life.
Jesus called them out ... These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules. (Matthew 15:8-9)
The Bible warns 'pretenders to the faith' ... You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder. (James 2:19)
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