Salvation by Faith Alone

The 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

(28) For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.

Romans 5:1

(1) Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Galatians 3:24

(24) Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.

We are not justified by what we do in any way. True faith always results in good deeds, but the deeds do not justify us. Faith brings us salvation; active obedience demonstrates that our faith is genuine.

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

(8) For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

(9) not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

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

(17) Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

(18) But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

James is emphasizing the point that genuine faith in Christ will produce a changed life and good works. 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

(14) What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?

James 2:17

(17) Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

Paul says the same thing in his writings. The good fruit believers should have in their lives is listed in

Galatians 5:22-23.

(22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

(23) gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Immediately after telling us that we are saved by faith, not works. Paul informs us that we were created to do good works

Ephesians 2:10

(10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Paul expects just as much of a changed life as James does.

2 Corinthians 5:17

(17) Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

James and Paul do not disagree with their teaching regarding salvation. They approach the same subject from different perspectives. Paul simply emphasized that justification is by faith alone while James emphasized the fact that genuine faith in Christ produces good works.

Any teaching that Salvation is not based on Faith Alone is a false gospel.

 Grove Oak Church