91. It is a common opinion today that to be saved consists in believing this or that which the church teaches, and does not consist in obeying the Ten Commandments, which forbid murder, adultery, stealing and bearing false witness, in a strict sense and in a broader one. For we are told that God regards not works but faith, despite the fact that insofar as someone is caught up in evils, so far he does not have faith (see nos. 42-52 above).

Consider the matter rationally and see whether a murderer, adulterer, thief or false witness can have faith as long as he is caught up a lust for those evils. Consider, too, whether a lust for those evils can be dispersed by any other means than by ceasing to will them because they are sins, that is, because they are hellish and diabolical.

Someone who thinks, therefore, that to be saved consists in believing this or that which the church teaches, and yet remains such as he is, cannot but be a foolish man, according to the Lord’s words in Matthew 7:26.

A church of that character is described as follows in Jeremiah:

Stand in the gate of Jehovah’s house, and proclaim there this word..., “Thus says Jehovah Zebaoth, the God of Israel: ‘Amend your ways and your doings.... Do not trust in lying words, saying, “The temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah are these.”

“ ‘Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, and swear falsely..., and then come and stand before Me in this house which bears My name, and say, “We are delivered, ” when you do...these abominations? Has this house...become a den of thieves...? Behold, I, even I, have seen it, ’ said Jehovah.” (Jeremiah 7:2-4, 9-11)