Repentance And Good Deeds (Question 4, 5 & 6 of "Biblical Contradictions?" Series)

Question 4:  Is one who believes in God's Son, but who has never repented, saved?
(Part of a series entitled "Biblical Contradictions?")

Answer:  Genuine belief in Jesus Christ as the propitiation for the sins of mankind, brings a person to repentance.  They are mutually inclusive.  When scripture talks about "belief in Jesus Christ", it is referring more to a state of mind which affects a person's way of life, rather than a superficial acknowledgment.  The devil "believes" in Jesus Christ, insomuch as he acknowledges His existence, Who He is in relation to God and what He accomplished on the cross.  But we know that the devil is obviously not saved.  Why?  Because the devil has not repented of his sin, nor has he submitted to Jesus as Lord of his life.

Any scripture used to argue any perceived contradiction of this point is irrelevant, because any reference in scripture to "believing in Jesus Christ" assumes genuine belief which requires submission and repentance. 

Questions 5 & 6:  Is one who believes in God's Son, but has done no good deeds, saved?  Is one who has called upon the name of the Lord, but who has done no good deeds, saved?

Answer:  Two scriptures from the "Biblical Contradictions" page used in an attempt to prove a contradiction on this matter are Acts 2:21 and Rom 10:13, both of which quote the Book of Joel, "everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

This is a quote from the Old Testament (Joel 2:32), and should be understood in the Old Testament context.  To "call upon the name of the Lord" in the Old Testament context, deals with worship, adoration and prayer.  It implies submission and obedience, because those who called upon the name of the Lord, made Him Lord of their life and lived their lives accordingly.

The other scriptures on the "Biblical Contradictions" page which are used in an attempt to prove contradiction are all in the context of faith without works.  The implication of this concept is that someone who is genuinely saved, someone who has genuinely put their faith in Jesus Christ, can't help but do good works.  Scripture says, "work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." (Phil 2:13).  Those who are truly saved are indwelled by God's Holy Spirit, Whom we are told is at work in us to accomplish good things.