Are we saved by faith alone, or do we need works, too?

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kevan1234

Junior Member
Sep 17, 2015
12
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#1
[h=1]Are we saved by faith alone, or do we need works, too?
[/h]by Matt Slick
12/05/08
Roman Catholics often mention that the Bible never says we are saved by faith alone, and that the phrase "faith alone" occurs only once in James where it says that we are not saved by faith alone. If this is so, then why do the Protestants say we are justified by faith alone and not by works? Because the Bible teaches that we are justified by faith alone--and not by works.
The following is a list of verses about being saved by faith. Please take note that faith and works are contrasted. In other words, we are saved by faith "not by works" and "apart from works," etc. The point is that there are only two options. We are saved by faith alone, or we are not. Since we have faith and works (both conceptually and in practice), then we are either saved by faith alone or by faith and works. There is no other option.
If we see that the scriptures exclude works in any form as a means of our salvation, then logically, we are saved by faith alone. Let's take a look at what the Bible says about faith and works. Then, afterwards, we will tackle James' statement about "faith alone".

  • Rom. 3:28-30, "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. 29Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one."
  • Rom. 4:5, "But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness,"
  • Rom. 5:1, "therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;"
  • Rom. 9:30, "What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith;"
  • Rom. 10:4, "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes."
  • Rom. 11:6, "But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace."
  • Gal. 2:16, "nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified."
  • Gal. 2:21, I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.
  • Gal. 3:5-6, "Does He then, who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 6Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."
  • Gal. 3:24, "Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith."
  • Eph. 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. 9Not by works, lest any man should boast."
  • Phil. 3:9, "and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith."
Again, works/Law is contrasted with faith repeatedly; and we are told that we are not justified by works in any way. Therefore, we are made right with God by faith--not by faith and our works, hence, faith alone.
[h=2]James 2:24, not by faith alone[/h]The scriptures clearly teach that we are saved (justified) by faith in Christ and what He has done on the cross. This faith alone saves us. However, we cannot stop here without addressing what James says in James 2:24, "You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone."
There is no contradiction. All you need to do is look at the context. James chapter 2 has 26 verses: Verses 1-7 instruct us not to show favoritism. Verses 8-13 are comments on the Law. Verses 14-26 are about the relationship between faith and works.
James begins this section by using the example of someone who says he has faith but has no works, "What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?" (James 2:14). In other words, James is addressing the issue of a dead faith--a faith that is nothing more than a verbal pronouncement, a public confession of the mind, and is not heart-felt. It is empty of life and action. He begins with the negative and demonstrates what an empty faith is (verses 15-17, words without actions). Then he shows that type of faith isn't any different from the faith of demons (verse 19). Finally, he gives examples of living faith that has words followed by actions. Works follow true faith and demonstrate that faith to our fellow man but not to God. James writes of Abraham and Rahab as examples of people who demonstrated their faith by their deeds.
In brief, James is examining two kinds of faith: one that leads to godly works and one that does not. One is true, and the other is false. One is dead, the other alive; hence, "Faith without works is dead," (James 2:20). But, he is not contradicting the verses above that say salvation/justification is by faith alone.
Also, notice that James actually quotes the same verse that Paul quotes in Rom. 4:3 amongst a host of verses dealing with justification by faith. James 2:23 says, "and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, and Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.'" If James was trying to teach a contradictory doctrine of faith and works than the other New Testament writers, then he would not have used Abraham as an example. Therefore, we can see that justification is by faith alone, and that James was talking about false faith--not real faith--when he said we are not justified by faith alone.
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
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#2
You know what? Believe in Christ Jesus and be active in this belief :)
 

kevan1234

Junior Member
Sep 17, 2015
12
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#3
got questions.org
"Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works?"


Answer:
This is perhaps the most important question in all of Christian theology. This question is the cause of the Reformation, the split between the Protestant churches and Catholic Church. This question is a key difference between biblical Christianity and most of the “Christian” cults. Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works? Am I saved just by believing in Jesus, or do I have to believe in Jesus and do certain things?

The question of faith alone or faith plus works is made difficult by some hard-to-reconcile Bible passages. Compare Romans 3:28, 5:1 and Galatians 3:24 with James 2:24. Some see a difference between Paul (salvation is by faith alone) and James (salvation is by faith plus works). Paul dogmatically says that justification is by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), while James appears to be saying that justification is by faith plus works. This apparent problem is answered by examining what exactly James is talking about. James is refuting the belief that a person can have faith without producing any good works (James 2:17-18). James is emphasizing the point that genuine faith in Christ will produce a changed life and good works (James 2:20-26). James is not saying that justification is by faith plus works, but rather that a person who is truly justified by faith will have good works in his/her life. If a person claims to be a believer, but has no good works in his/her life, then he/she likely does not have genuine faith in Christ (James 2:14, 17, 20, 26).

Paul says the same thing in his writings. The good fruit believers should have in their lives is listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Immediately after telling us that we are saved by faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9), Paul informs us that we were created to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). Paul expects just as much of a changed life as James does: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). James and Paul do not disagree in their teaching regarding salvation. They approach the same subject from different perspectives. Paul simply emphasized that justification is by faith alone while James put emphasis on the fact that genuine faith in Christ produces good works.
 

Dan_473

Senior Member
Mar 11, 2014
9,054
1,051
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#4
Hi Kevan, welcome to CC!

I found this online, maybe it will interest someone

The communication below contains a proposition from Dr. W. Fisk, which, however much we dislike theological controversies, we believe is appropriate and interesting at this time. Such a discussion, under such arrangements, will give the merits of the controversy to both sides; and will, at least, convince all of one truth—that the Methodist Episcopal Church seeks not concealment from the world or her members, as charged by her adversaries. But it will develop a still more important truth, and that is, what are the settled and definite opinions of the old or the new school in the Calvinistic Churches. It is known to all the world, that there is great difficulty in ascertaining what are the theological opinions of those ancient Churches of the land. They seem to be as far apart from each other as they are from Arminianism; and their replies and rejoinders to each other are as severe as if directed against us. The discussion must be interesting and profitable, carried on by two such persons as Dr. Fisk and his opponent, and under the steady supervision, as to temper and manner, of third parties as proposed. —Eds.

I have just received a pamphlet of about forty-eight pages, containing a series of letters, in answer to my sermon on predestination and election. These letters are written by the Rev. David Metcalf, of Lebanon, Connecticut, and purport to be an answer, not only to the doctrinal part of the sermon, but to the “charges,” as the writer is pleased to call them, contained in the sermon, and published afterward in a specific form, first in the Connecticut Observer, and then in the Christian Advocate and Journal.

Calvinistic Controversy
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,195
6,508
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#5
Study the parable of the talents of gold with prayer of course.

When we believe Jesus Christ we receive faith.

Faith always leads to a fruitious walk with Jesus Christ.

To bury our faith in the dirt is no faith at all.........

Faith cannot be hidden or it will become dirty.....
 
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MattTooFor

Guest
#6
Are we saved by faith alone, or do we need works, too?

by Matt Slick

If James was trying to teach a contradictory doctrine of faith and works than the other New Testament writers, then he would not have used Abraham as an example. Therefore, we can see that justification is by faith alone, and that James was talking about false faith--not real faith--when he said we are not justified by faith alone.
Matt Slick has a TON of doctrinal problems if you're asking me.

To summarize what I see him doing here -- he is not actually defending Scripture here. He is defending the Charles Ryrie refrain: "Salvation is by faith PLUS NOTHING".

There is a crowd out there who just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this refrain. Only problem is...it isn't in the Bible. It is a strangely worded man-made proverb which creates an imbalance.

So Slick realizes he has to get past the Book of James with its crystal-clear advisories about a "faith" that does not produce works. James is goading on lazy and/or immorally behaving believers who need to start coughing up "works" pronto!

But Slick wants to salvage his precious (unbiblical) refrain...so he goes round and round and round and round with the Book of James...and eventually comes up with this tortured analysis (stated above) which is virtually indecipherable.

The bottom line 'correct' response to the Book of James is...that I personally feel the pressure to produce works as evidence of my genuine and therefore saving faith.

From God's perspective...He knows absolutely who are His own. From the human earthly perspective...our feet need to be held to the fire to continue producing evidence of a genuine, saving faith. "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling" is a scripture which causes much fear and trembling in the flippant, glib OSAS crowd, I fear - lol!
 
Nov 22, 2015
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#7
Do we realize that we can go to church every day, pray 5 hours a day, witness, read the scriptures daily, read them in Greek and Hebrew and still not experience the life of Christ in us that Jesus came to bring us? Being in faith is not "doing any of those things mentioned". ( Although they are within themselves good things. )

Christ came to give us "life" - His life. We can be doing all these religious activities - be saved for all eternity by Christ's blood and still not experience His life on this earth - why? Because we are not walking in faith. Our un-renewed minds are stopping the fruit of His life from manifesting in us like it was meant to do by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ.
 
Mar 28, 2016
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#8
Can't separate faith from works (impossible) Christ's faith as a labor of His love is a work .Just not of our own selves least any man boast. It is the work of God working in us to both will and do His good pleasure .

Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might "work the works" of God?Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God", that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.Joh 6:29 Without that work of faith working in us no man could please God.

Not of our own-selves or of Abraham, not of the works of any mans flesh

By faith our faithful Creator believed there would be light and by exercising, working His belief, He said let :there be ,and there was.

A dead works/faith would to believe something would happen but there was no work performed to show what they believed.

We are saved by Christ's work of faith alone
 
Nov 22, 2015
20,436
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#9
Working out our salvation is a wonderful verse of the faithfulness of God and that it is in fact Him that brings this about in us.

Working out the salvation that is in us is often quoted but they leave the context out for some unknown reason. Keep reading.

Phil. 2:13 comes after Phil. 2:12 - For it is God who is at work in you - both to will which is the desire and the to do which is the capability of doing His good pleasure.

We are simply working outwardly in our outward behavior and living what is already in us in our new creation in Christ which has been created in righteousness and holiness.

We are NOT a new evolution - we are now a new creation. Behold1 which means to look, to see, to perceive. old things have passed away and new things have come. Find out that those "new things" are and we'll start growing in Christ instead of trying to create and maintain salvation.

Works-based mindsets and religion always get the gospel and the things of God backwards - they are trying to achieve and hold on to the things that Christ already accomplished. We live by faith and it is this faith in Him that we have access to His grace.

So, work out your salvation with fear and trembling is a beautiful verse of the faithfulness of God. With fear and trembling is also a Jewish term that shows the goodness and grace of God for us.
 

Zmouth

Senior Member
Nov 21, 2012
3,391
134
63
#10
Since we have faith and works (both conceptually and in practice), then we are either saved by faith alone or by faith and works. There is no other option.
There is no other option? How about the being saved by the Holy Ghost, who is the Son of the eternal God, the firstborn of every living creature. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
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#11
Do we realize that we can go to church every day, pray 5 hours a day, witness, read the scriptures daily, read them in Greek and Hebrew and still not experience the life of Christ in us that Jesus came to bring us? Being in faith is not "doing any of those things mentioned". ( Although they are within themselves good things. )
That is what the apostate Jews were performing. They experienced the ceremonial laws that were shadows pointing ahead to Christ, the fulfillment. I think it is why He offered them to walk by faith (the unseen) rather than after some work they performed.

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men.Joh 5:39

He does not receive honor from men for Him giving them the honor to search it out by faith.It is Christ who makes one differ from another .Like Paul said; what do we have that we have not received ,and if we have received it, why would we boast as if we did not?

As a kingdom of priests he freely gives us the honor that we can walk by faith, giving God the glory .He does not receive honor from us, that would account towards salvation.

I think we can see that is the parable below.

Pro 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
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#12
Working out our salvation is a wonderful verse of the faithfulness of God and that it is in fact Him that brings this about in us.

Working out the salvation that is in us is often quoted but they leave the context out for some unknown reason. Keep reading.

Phil. 2:13 comes after Phil. 2:12 - For it is God who is at work in you - both to will which is the desire and the to do which is the capability of doing His good pleasure.

We are simply working outwardly in our outward behavior and living what is already in us in our new creation in Christ which has been created in righteousness and holiness.

We are NOT a new evolution - we are now a new creation. Behold1 which means to look, to see, to perceive. old things have passed away and new things have come. Find out that those "new things" are and we'll start growing in Christ instead of trying to create and maintain salvation.

Works-based mindsets and religion always get the gospel and the things of God backwards - they are trying to achieve and hold on to the things that Christ already accomplished. We live by faith and it is this faith in Him that we have access to His grace.

So, work out your salvation with fear and trembling is a beautiful verse of the faithfulness of God. With fear and trembling is also a Jewish term that shows the goodness and grace of God for us.
The verbiage carries the idea of fitting out one's salvation....just like Marine would arm up for combat....he is already a MARINE but need to be "fitted out" for the job ahead.....amen to what you said as well......!
 
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FreeNChrist

Guest
#13
There is no other option? How about the being saved by the Holy Ghost, who is the Son of the eternal God, the firstborn of every living creature. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
The Holy Spirit being the Son is not an option.
 
Nov 19, 2016
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#14
Paul,speaking from a fleshy perspective.

We are not saved by any works we do apart from Christ,like the works of the other religions,or the Old Testament physical ordinances,for we are only saved by having faith,and confessing Christ,for that is all we can do,for our righteousness is as filthy rags,there is none that does good,no not one,and all are sinners and come short of the glory of God.There is nothing we can do but have faith,and believe God for all our works cannot measure up,and without the Spirit we can never measure up anyway.

Paul was sent to the Gentiles,and was telling them that their works in their religions would not find them favor with God,but only by having faith,and accepting Christ,can they find favor with God,and Jesus took the physical ordinances away nailing them to His cross,so those ordinances have no bearing on eternal life.

The only thing we can do is have faith,and accept Christ,and if any one is saved,then works of other religions,or physical ordinances,have no bearing on their salvation,but a waste of time.

Paul is speaking from a fleshy perspective.

James,speaking from a spiritual perspective.A man is justified by works,and not faith alone.

Love works no ill towards their neighbor;therefore love is the fulfilling of the law,which if any person has this world's goods and says I love you,but does nothing to help the poor and needy,the love of God does not dwell in them,for do not love in word only,but love in deed and truth.

Which is the same thing James is saying faith without works is dead,which he used the illustration that if you see a person that has need,and you do not help them,then how do you have faith,the same if you see a person that has need,and you do not help them,how does the love of God dwell in you.

James is saying be led of the Spirit loving people,and helping them with their needs.

Paul,speaking from a fleshy perspective trying to find favor with God,but those works will not save us,but only by having faith,confessing Christ.

Then we are saved.

James,speaking from a spiritual perspective allowing the Spirit to lead you loving people,for love is the fulfilling of the law,and help the poor and needy if you can,and preach the Gospel,and the works the Spirit would have us do,to have faith active in our life.

Paul also said the same thing as James,for he said if any person thinks that living for God is material gain,and monetary gain,for personal benefit,and teach such,withdraw yourself from them,having food and clothing be content,for people that heap money to themselves have erred from the faith,for the faith is believing in a kingdom that is love,and they believe in personal gain that neglects the poor.

So Paul is saying in that circumstance they have erred from the faith,which it is dead,and what is the reason,they neglect the poor,the same as James that said faith without works is dead,and then gives the illustration that if they do not help the poor,then their faith is dead,because in the New Testament the works are love people,which James gives the Old Testament illustrations as an example,but the New Testament works are love people,because God is not going to ask anybody to sacrifice their son as a test today,and there need not be a Rahab in that work,for God said all wars come from people,not Him,so there is no work of helping the Jews conquer anyone.

Paul,not by works,but faith only,confess Christ.

James,faith without works is dead,be led of the Spirit loving people.

But Paul said the same thing as James in his own way,if they do not have works of helping the poor if they have the means,they have erred from the faith.

Paul could speak from a fleshy perspective,or a spiritual perspective.
 
M

MattTooFor

Guest
#15
Works-based mindsets and religion always get the gospel and the things of God backwards - they are trying to achieve and hold on to the things that Christ already accomplished. We live by faith and it is this faith in Him that we have access to His grace.
The verbiage carries the idea of fitting out one's salvation....just like Marine would arm up for combat....he is already a MARINE but need to be "fitted out" for the job ahead.....amen to what you said as well......!
I believe you guys are watering down the simple truth stated in that passage "work out your salvation with fear and trembling".

The "trembling" comes when it comes time (from time to time) to "examine ourselves whether we are of the faith". We don't get an advance "sneak peek" at the Book of Life. Only God has absolute knowledge. Finite humans do NOT have absolute knowledge of anything. 1 Cor. 8:2 states "he who simply assumes he knows something does not yet know it as he ought".

We do not get to have 100% certainty of our salvation. Otherwise, the Bible wouldn't have the part about "examining" ourselves. We need to go through life with "the fear of the Lord". We can see, for example, in the Book of James...how it is holding our feet to the fire to continue producing proof of a genuine faith.
 

20

Senior Member
Dec 15, 2015
351
9
18
#16
Without works our faith is dead The answer in (KJV)James2;14-18 says 14.What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15.If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16.And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18. Yea, a man may say,Thou hast faith, and I have works; shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works Thanks the Lord for the best opportunity to show our faith by works on the wiked World and for our lovely Father.
 
Nov 22, 2015
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#17
I believe you guys are watering down the simple truth stated in that passage "work out your salvation with fear and trembling".

The "trembling" comes when it comes time (from time to time) to "examine ourselves whether we are of the faith". We don't get an advance "sneak peek" at the Book of Life. Only God has absolute knowledge. Finite humans do NOT have absolute knowledge of anything. 1 Cor. 8:2 states "he who simply assumes he knows something does not yet know it as he ought".

We do not get to have 100% certainty of our salvation. Otherwise, the Bible wouldn't have the part about "examining" ourselves. We need to go through life with "the fear of the Lord". We can see, for example, in the Book of James...how it is holding our feet to the fire to continue producing proof of a genuine faith.
I have heard of that religious tradition view of "fear and trembling" and I know where e this belief comes- it''s true origin.

Fear and trembling is misunderstood. It means a "lack of trust in one's own abilities." In other words, we are dependent upon Jesus Christ and rest in Him. Look in the Greek and other verses that use that saying, even the apostle Paul spoke of preaching with fear and much trembling, meaning distrusting in his own abilities and relying on the Spirit's power.

It is an interesting to study out in the N.T. the term "fear and trembling". It is not what it was in the O.T.

If we let scripture interpret scripture we see that in the 2 other places where "fear and trembling" was used it referred to the woman with the issue of blood and Jesus healed her. She experienced the goodness and love of Jesus and she had awe and reverence for the goodness done to her.

Mark 5:33 (KJV)
[SUP]33 [/SUP] But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.


The other usage was Paul and he was referring to having no confidence in himself as he was coming to preach the gospel to the Corinthians. 1 Cor. 2:3-5

Fear and trembling = being in awe and reverence of the goodness of God to us and our complete reliance on Him for all things..especially in preaching the gospel.

It is never being "afraid" of God. It's knowing His love for us that takes away the bad kind of fear.

1 John 4:17-19 (NASB)
[SUP]17 [/SUP] By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.

[SUP]18 [/SUP] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear,because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

[SUP]19 [/SUP]We love, because He first loved us.
 
N

newlightseven

Guest
#18
We are saved by faith but because of this we should have works. Don't let Christ catch you with no good works.
 
F

FreeNChrist

Guest
#19
I believe you guys are watering down the simple truth stated in that passage "work out your salvation with fear and trembling".

The "trembling" comes when it comes time (from time to time) to "examine ourselves whether we are of the faith". We don't get an advance "sneak peek" at the Book of Life. Only God has absolute knowledge. Finite humans do NOT have absolute knowledge of anything. 1 Cor. 8:2 states "he who simply assumes he knows something does not yet know it as he ought".

We do not get to have 100% certainty of our salvation. Otherwise, the Bible wouldn't have the part about "examining" ourselves. We need to go through life with "the fear of the Lord". We can see, for example, in the Book of James...how it is holding our feet to the fire to continue producing proof of a genuine faith.
Work out, not work for.

When you examine yourself do you not find that Jesus Christ lives in you? 2 Cor. 13:5

Do you not know that you have eternal life? 1 John 5:13