Justification and righteousness come by faith alone. I am saved by faith, made righteous by faith and kept by faith in Christ\u2019s blood. That is the very foundation of the gospel. However, not all faith is justifying faith. The Bible clearly speaks of two kinds of faith: one that justifies and another that is of no value, a faith that even the devil exercises.<\/p>\n
The book of Acts records that Simon the magician \u201cbelieved\u201d but his faith was not the justifying kind. \u201cThen Simon himself also believed; and\u2026he was baptized\u201d (Acts 8:13, NKJV)<\/em>. Simon offered the Apostle Peter money to acquire the power of the Holy Ghost, but Peter answered, \u201cFor I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity\u201d (Acts 8:23)<\/em>. He was saying, \u201cSimon, your heart is still bound by sin.\u201d<\/p>\n Peter told Simon that without repentance, both he and his money would perish. Indeed, Simon believed, but he was not made in the righteousness of God in Christ. His faith was not the justifying faith, the kind that purifies the heart and brings the righteousness of Christ.<\/p>\n Scripture says that many people \u201cbelieved [in Jesus]\u2026when they saw the signs which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself to them\u2026for he knew what was in man\u201d (John 2:23-25)<\/em>. These people believed in Christ, but it was not the faith of those \u201che gave the right to become children of God\u201d (John 1:12)<\/em>.<\/p>\n Justifying faith is more than a faith of assent; it does more than just acknowledge God. James argued, \u201cYou believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble!\u201d (James 2:19)<\/em>. James was talking about a dead, temporary faith, not an eternal one. Jesus warned about this kind of faith, saying that some believe \u201c[but] have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away\u201d (Luke 8:13)<\/em>.<\/p>\n On the other side, there is a justifying faith, one that \u201cpurifies the heart\u201d (see Acts 15:9) and one that \u201cbelieves unto righteousness\u201d (Romans 10:10)<\/em>. For faith to be justifying, there must be an accompanying desire to obey and be faithful to God. This kind of faith contains a vital force, a principle of everlasting obedience and love for God.<\/p>\n