Faith Alone

[Oldmantook]

I gave the poll the benefit of a doubt and voted yes. The actual expressionis justification by grace through faith, actually all Christians believe that. You throw in the word alone and a Catholic will throw up their hands and walk out.

Justification means made righteous, it doesn't mean God just signs a spiritual waiver. Abraham believed God and it was credited (imputed) to him for righteousness. Imputed is actually a book keepers term, it's like when money is credited to your account. Where do you get the righteousness of God in Christ? It has to be from God himself, which includes a relationship.

Christ's righteousness is not imputed to believers. Yes, Abraham believed God but read further on where Paul goes on to cite the experience of David in vs. 6-8. Verses 7-8 are a quote of Psalm 32:1-2.
In this Psalm, David recounts his experience of sin and what he had to do in order to be forgiven of sin, cleansed and have the burden of guilt lifted from him in Psalm 32:5. Repentance is always required for sins committed as we are reckoned as righteous when like David, we genuinely repent of sin. No sin is automatically forgiven because of the "imputation" of Jesus' righteousness.

 

[grandvizier1006]

I have asked one poster if he believed that Christians who did not hold to Sola Fidé were still Christians. He refused to reply.

It was a kind of weird, silent judgement. I have read threads inferring that belief in faith alone for salvation is what makes one a Christian.

That sounds really rude. I'm sorry you experienced that. I'm Protestant (but call myself simply Christian on here because I don't feel comfortable identifying with any particular denomination and don't want people thinking I completely reject any legitimate branch of Christianity as Christians) but I have no problems saying Catholics are Christians. I may have some disagreements with Catholic doctrines and I wasn't raised in it so sometimes it seems "odd" to me, but I certainly have no problem with calling Catholics Christians.

 

[zoidar]

I answered no. I believe we are saved by faith accompanied with a living relationship with Christ. I don't believe a living relationship comes automatic by faith, but something we have to choose.

 

[charsan]

Do you believe that faith alone justifies an individual as righteous in the sight of God?

*by justification, I mean a legal declaration.

"For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law." - Romans 3:28

No, you will notice there is no "alone" that phrase was added by man. Also I don't buy the legal definitions that are put forth by the west but take an east view of Salvation which is by grace alone through by faith that is not alone

 

[His student]

Do you believe that faith alone justifies an individual as righteous in the sight of God?
*by justification, I mean a legal declaration.

Absolutely.

Now if you mean by justifying faith, a profession of faith which does not result in good works of some kind along the way - absolutely not.

Most of us believe that justifying faith and works go hand in hand just as the scriptures say.

The trouble is that many don't have that justifying faith to begin with as I see it here in the forum. They do not and will not tell you that they are saved now. They will tell you something along the lines that they are "cooperating with God" with their works and that the success of that cooperation (works) determines whether they will achieve salvation through a future eternal justification or not.

That kind of thinking is what will separate the goats from the sheep when the end of life comes IMO.

While I don't claim that everyone who doubts their salvation is lost - I do believe that the fine line that separates true justifying faith and a works salvation appears to have been crossed by many here in the forum.

As a result they preach another gospel than the true gospel as I see it.

 

[S.O.J.I.A.]

yes, with a thorough understanding of what faith actually means, which james explains in chapter 2 of his letter.

 

[zoidar]

Do you believe that faith alone justifies an individual as righteous in the sight of God?

*by justification, I mean a legal declaration.

"For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law." - Romans 3:28

If we have nothing prepared for the Lord, can we then be called good servants? Will then our faith save us?

 

[PaulCyp1]

Yes, true faith justifies. However, when we have true faith we automatically live our lives differently, responding to God's grace by doing what He wants us to do, including caring for one another and for those in need. So, works themselves do not justify us, but lack of works means lack of true faith, and therefore lack of justification. Which is why the original and true Christian Church has always taught that faith and works are both essential.

 

[JM]

Do you believe that faith alone justifies an individual as righteous in the sight of God?

*by justification, I mean a legal declaration.

"For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law." - Romans 3:28

We are justified by Christ alone through faith.

 

[zoidar]

Deleted

 

[Silverback]

James clearly states that faith that does not display works is a faith that cannot save. However, it is still faith alone that saves, because there is no faith that does not work (faith without works is dead).

It's God's grace, for Christ sake, through faith that justifies us before God. Good works follow Justification, but good works never justified anyone before God.The

But to take this further, how many acts of good works should follow Justification? One...1000?

Deep.

 

[zoidar]

But to take this further, how many acts of good works should follow Justification? One...1000?

Deep.

How many straws does it take to make a beard?

 

[Yarddog]

Do you believe that faith alone justifies an individual as righteous in the sight of God?

*by justification, I mean a legal declaration.

"For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law." - Romans 3:28

I believe that we are justified by faith but many people understand faith differently.

 

[Albion]

James' works righteousness? James is certainly not alone if that's what you're implying. Sola Fide is baloney because cognitive faith does not save anyone.

Yeh; anyone of us can give a testimonial about what he personally is willing to believe, but that doesn't
accomplish too much.

How about Paul's works righteousness?
First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.

Did you not notice, while typing, that he was saying that this is good to do...and that it demonstrates their repentance??

No one who understands Sola Fide should be thinking that Faith does NOT produce fruitful acts or needs not. That is exactly what James was addressing.

If you are thinking of someone who says otherwise-- that Faith can exist without Works--he simply misunderstands this Scriptural principle.

Acts 26:20
Paul himself described the gospel message that he preached as one of repentance demonstrated by works.

And again in that verse.

 

[GraceBro]

Do you believe that faith alone justifies an individual as righteous in the sight of God?

*by justification, I mean a legal declaration.

"For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law." - Romans 3:28

There are only three choices; Faith Alone, Faith plus Works, or Works Alone. If it is anything, but faith alone, you have to determine what are the works? From the standpoint of God, His Law is the measuring stick. What are we told about the Law?

"Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law." Galatians 3:21

"For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin." Romans 3:20

"For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”" Galatians 3:10

"You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48

I don't want to have to be observant to laws that can never make me righteous, never make me justified, only stir up more sin in my life, put me under a curse, and force me to be as obedient as God. No, thanks. I will continue to rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ and put my faith alone in Him.

Grace and Peace

 

[Oldmantook]

Yeh; anyone of us can give a testimonial about what he personally is willing to believe, but that doesn't
accomplish too much.



Did you not notice, while typing, that he was saying that this is good to do...and that it demonstrates their repentance??

No one who understands Sola Fide should be thinking that Faith does NOT produce fruitful acts or needs not. That is exactly what James was addressing.

If you are thinking of someone who says otherwise-- that Faith can exist without Works--he simply misunderstands this Scriptural principle.


And again in that verse.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think we agree that genuine faith causes good works; not the result of it. However, faith in and of itself if it does not have works, is dead. That is why sola fide if left undefined causes unneeded confusion as the term itself means faith alone - which by it's plain meaning is misleading.

 

[Stone-n-Steel]

The fact that many people would say that it is faith alone and then attempt to put a believer under some system of works. They may say that those works are done as a result of salvation but most people I have know who say that will judge your salvation based on the works you do not what you believed.

 

[zoidar]

Isn't faith really to believe in something/someone and act on what you believe?

 

[mark kennedy]

Christ's righteousness is not imputed to believers. Yes, Abraham believed God but read further on where Paul goes on to cite the experience of David in vs. 6-8. Verses 7-8 are a quote of Psalm 32:1-2.
In this Psalm, David recounts his experience of sin and what he had to do in order to be forgiven of sin, cleansed and have the burden of guilt lifted from him in Psalm 32:5. Repentance is always required for sins committed as we are reckoned as righteous when like David, we genuinely repent of sin. No sin is automatically forgiven because of the "imputation" of Jesus' righteousness.

I don't know why you would say that, it's straight out of Rom. 4:3, 'credited', 'counted', 'imputed' are all different was of translating the same word. The point Paul is making when he quotes Genesis 15:6 is because the original Abrahamic covenant was based on righteousness, 'credited', 'reckoned', 'imputed' by grace through faith. So now you contradict a simple, foundational truth of the faith by insisting, no you have to repent!

The objection is surprising mainly because Paul is clearly arguing that works of the are inadequate. The obvious conclustion is that conviction and repentance are clearly required if it's not works of righteousness, which we have done, it's by grace through faith apart from works.

I don't know why your arguing against imputed righteousness but your directly contradicting that Apostle Paul.

Curious, very curious indeed.

 

[Oldmantook]

I don't know why you would say that, it's straight out of Rom. 4:3, 'credited', 'counted', 'imputed' are all different was of translating the same word. The point Paul is making when he quotes Genesis 15:6 is because the original Abrahamic covenant was based on righteousness, 'credited', 'reckoned', 'imputed' by grace through faith. So now you contradict a simple, foundational truth of the faith by insisting, no you have to repent!

The objection is surprising mainly because Paul is clearly arguing that works of the are inadequate. The obvious conclustion is that conviction and repentance are clearly required if it's not works of righteousness, which we have done, it's by grace through faith apart from works.

I don't know why your arguing against imputed righteousness but your directly contradicting that Apostle Paul.

Curious, very curious indeed.

I assume you read why I believe what I wrote based on context which key. Like I said, if you bothered to read further to gain context, Paul then refers to David whose words are quoted directly from Psalm 32:1-2. Ps 32: 5 states:
Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

In proper context, David had to first acknowledge his sin and confess it before his transgression was forgiven. The notion of imputed righteousness means that when we sin, God sees no sin because he only sees the righteousness of Christ in us. David in Psalm 32 clearly did not see it that way did he? That is exactly why Paul uses David's example to get his point across in Rom 4. Repentance is always required. Answer me a simple question, conscious and willful sin if not repented of still results in you being saved?