Hebrews 11:6 English Standard Version (ESV) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Two basic elements are identified here. They are faith and belief. Many will tell you that they are the same thing. Are they?
We all have a mind and with it choose to believe what we want. Faith in this context is a gift from God which allows us to please Him. Do we always use that gift to please God? Not at all until we believe that there is a God who is above all gods and is the creator of heaven and earth. Faith lies dormant in all mankind until planted in the right place.
John 12:24 English Standard Version (ESV) Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
It is only natural to question how I know that the parable of this grain is faith. The only way I know is the same way other believers understand and unbelievers do not. I put my faith in Christ.
Ephesians 3:16-19 English Standard Version (ESV)
16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
This comprehension of truth can only exist if Christ has given you the Holy Spirit to reveal truth. He will only send the Comforter if you have places your faith in His word on the Cross.
Merely believing is not enough.