When I was a kid, I kept taking bites out of the apple until only the core was left. That was before I knew how to use a knife. Since then I have become adept at making cuts in several ways. I can slice and dice, cut large thin wafers, or make bite-size chunks.
No matter how the apple is cut, one fact remains true: left to rot, it’s worthless. It must be eaten.
Christians often place emphasis on what we believe, and that’s good but not enough. It’s like cutting the apple and not eating it.
The brother of Jesus confirmed this concept when he pointed out that the devils believe and tremble (James 2:19). What they believe doesn’t change their actions.
Jesus compares two kinds of people who heard his words (Mathew 7:24–27). The one who took action was wise, a man whose life was built on solid rock. But the one who didn’t put the belief into practice was on unstable sand, his life in jeopardy.
That’s why, in my Statements of Faith, I say, We are saved by grace, not by works. Yet the cost of discipleship is total commitment.