Only believe?

I recently spent some time with some non-Christians. What a difference it is to be around people who have not accepted Jesus as their Savior.
At least one of them is an admitted atheist, another a Buddhist of sorts, and others seemed to have no preference. For the most part, I enjoyed the conversation and had a good enough time being around them, but I was definitely uncomfortable most of the time and it was none to soon to exit. I was talking about this with my wife and she stated that she thought one lady with whom we met believed in God. I remarked back that so does satan and all of his demons. Is it enough to believe that God exists or even that Jesus is His Son? When one considers the foregoing statement, obviously it is not. Satan will not be joining us in heaven. He is a believer but not a “follower”. We must repent, or forsake our former ways, and surrender our lives to Jesus in order for God to help us. When it happens our entire thought process changes. No we will never achieve perfection, and surely will on occasion continue to make mistakes and commit sins, however, we will feel bad about it when we do. We will be uncomfortable with foul language, a carnal mindset, and non-Christian activities.

Christians have a better life because they submit to the Lord. Satan deems himself to be equal to the Lord, if not above Him. For this he will pay a heavy price. God is merciful to those who are sorry that they have sinned and to those who humbly ask Him for forgiveness. Being around non-Christians is sometimes good because it illustrates first hand just how miserable it can be apart from God, even when on the surface people are trying to laugh it up. It is amazing how good a life Christians have compared to non-Christians. I did not detect any joy and peace in these people’s lives; conversely it was apparent they were pretty unhappy deep down. God is loaded with grace, forgiveness, and mercy. I wish everyone could experience the difference that God makes in our lives.

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Let the wicked forsake his
way,
And the unrighteous man
his thoughts.
Let him return to the Lord.
And He will have mercy on
him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.

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