by faith alone or by faith and works?

The works we do as the result of our salvation are not works achieved by our own self effort. If that was so, all we would have is self-righteousness, which is not acceptable to God. The works of holiness that flow out of us in the form of the fruit of the Spirit come through the work of the Holy Spirit within us, as our old sinful habit patterns fall away, and new patterns of holiness grow within us.

Faith, and works.

Gracia Singh said:

Faith, and works.

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The book of Galatians shows differently. Mixing works with faith causes a person to depart from Christ, because the finished work of Christ is no use to them. Read it for yourself.

This is one of the first confusing things I encountered in Christianity. Why are these people arguing about something that is basically good. What I learned was a good tree bears good fruit. Once people acquire the faith and then the Holy Spirit, then it guides us to works. It's not something I worry about as people say one misinterpretation is heresy like this person (who doesn't even give their names; Satan?),

"The first red flag that any believer should notice is how this doctrine of works is the same for all denominations: from Pentecostalism, Episcopalianism, and Catholicism, to Lutheranism, Protestantism, and Calvinism! They all include works as either part of salvation, or as evidence of salvation. Works is the common denominator among the vast sea of Christian denominations. Regardless of whether works are at the forefront of their doctrine, or emphasized less; if works plays any role whatsoever, it is heresy. Even the smallest amount of works added, will make salvation an impossible task to accomplish."

The Book of James, Chapter 2 (faith without works is dead) Explained - Salvation by Grace Through Faith

It's madness.

Man is saved through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9); yet genuine faith is vindicated, substantiated, evidenced by works (James 2:14-24).

*Christ saves us through faith based on the merits of His finished work of redemption "alone" and not based on the merits of our works.*

It is through faith "in Christ alone" (and not by the merits of our works) that we are justified on account of Christ (Romans 3:24; 5:1; 5:9); yet the faith that justifies is never alone (solitary, unfruitful, barren) if it is genuine (James 2:14-24). *Perfect Harmony*

Our Apostle Paul says we need "faith working through love" (in Galatians 5:6).

And James says faith without works is dead, and he gives three examples of works > in James chapter two. All three are works of personal loving > helping a needy person, doing what God told Abraham to do, helping God's servants > James chapter two.

Preaching is used by God; preaching is a work. When people trust in Jesus, they pray; prayer is a work. And there are other things people do, for works, in ministering people to Jesus and trusting in Christ for salvation.

Because faith is working. The works are of love. But are the works necessary?

Is it necessary to preach Jesus? Is it necessary to trust in Jesus?

Gracia Singh said:

Faith, and works.

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The Catholic Church Teaches Salvation by Works

com7fy8 said:

And James says faith without works is dead, and he gives three examples of works > in James chapter two.

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You need to keep in mind that James is discussing the evidence of faith (says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18) and not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God (Romans 4:2-3).

Danthemailman said:

You need to keep in mind that James is discussing the evidence of faith (says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18) and not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God (Romans 4:2-3).

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Yes, when a person first trusts in Jesus, this person is imputed the righteousness of Jesus.

But > do you consider the preaching of Jesus to be evidence or necessary for salvation, or what do you believe?

The Word of God is very clear on this.

Ephesians 2:8-10 King James Version (KJV)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:8,9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Scripture answers this question quite clearly. I mean it literally says "not as a result of works". Could Paul be any clearer? Any plainer? He then further emphasizes this by declaring that nobody can boast. If works played any role in our Salvation then we absolutely, without question would have something to boast about. But we don't have anything to boast about... why? Because Paul clearly and plainly states that we are saved not as a result of works.

Personally, I don't feel comfortable telling Paul he's wrong, and I'm not sure why some people do.

I would say we are saved by grace alone. Faith is simply the appropriate response to God who is faithful and trustworthy. Justification is by grace working through faith (Ephesians 2:8). Sanctification is by grace and good works (Philippians 2:12-13). So, I wholly agree that good works are a result of faith, but ultimately a result of grace working through faith. For me, it's grace all the way down. Thanks be to God.

Works of the Law can’t save you because we can’t fulfill the Law, we all fall short.
JESUS fulfilled the Law for us! He gives us His righteousness when we have faith in Him. He earned that righteousness by fulfilling the Law.
Abraham was declared righteous when he as good as offered Isaac on the altar.
Abraham’s faith was shown by his works(of faith)! We are children of Abraham because we have faith like Abraham. The altar represents JESUS the Lamb laying down His life for us and us at the altar laying down our life for Him.

SPF said:

Ephesians 2:8,9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Scripture answers this question quite clearly. I mean it literally says "not as a result of works". Could Paul be any clearer? Any plainer? He then further emphasizes this by declaring that nobody can boast. If works played any role in our Salvation then we absolutely, without question would have something to boast about. But we don't have anything to boast about... why? Because Paul clearly and plainly states that we are saved not as a result of works.

Personally, I don't feel comfortable telling Paul he's wrong, and I'm not sure why some people do.

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If you study the context Paul is referring to Works of the Law.
Works of faith are not works of the Law. There different works!
That is why faith without works are dead. Be doers of the Word.
There are two Laws.

Revelation seeker said:

Works of the Law can’t save you because we can’t fulfill the Law, we all fall short.
JESUS fulfilled the Law for us! He gives us His righteousness when we have faith in Him. He earned that righteousness by fulfilling the Law.
Abraham was declared righteous when he as good as offered Isaac on the altar.
Abraham’s faith was shown by his works(of faith)! We are children of Abraham because we have faith like Abraham. The altar represents JESUS the Lamb laying down His life for us and us at the altar laying down our life for Him.

Click to expand...

Revelation seeker said:

Works of the Law can’t save you because we can’t fulfill the Law, we all fall short.
JESUS fulfilled the Law for us! He gives us His righteousness when we have faith in Him. He earned that righteousness by fulfilling the Law.
Abraham was declared righteous when he as good as offered Isaac on the altar.
Abraham’s faith was shown by his works(of faith)! We are children of Abraham because we have faith like Abraham. The altar represents JESUS the Lamb laying down His life for us and us at the altar laying down our life for Him.

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The works that Abraham did that lead to salvation was as good as sacrificing Isaac on the Altar.
The Old Testament Altar is pictured in Baptism. When JESUS was Baptized it pictured Him as the Lamb of God dying for our sins and being buried in baptism.
When we get baptized it is a picture of of us being buried with JESUS in baptism.
To be buried with JESUS by baptism is having the faith of Abraham.


Romans 6:3-7 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.