Faith Alone?

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Category: Salvation

Published on Sunday, 29 March 2009 01:14

Written by Ryan Hicks

FAITH ALONE?

By Ryan Hicks

It is a common theory among people that faith alone saves us. This theory is generally used, not to sound the bell of holiness for the Christian's life, but to make an excuse for sin.

The question is does the Bible ever teach such a thing as Christians being saved by "faith alone?" The Bible does say, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). If this were all the Bible said about our justification, then we could believe the "faith alone" theory. But thank the Lord, He revealed more about this to us in the very next verse in Ephesians 2:10, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." So while we are justified by faith and not works (Romans 4:5; Ephesians 3:8-9), such a faith produces good works. If good works are lacking then the person either was never saved or has rebelled from saving faith in Christ.

God was not stressing a do nothing salvation, but rather a grace that causes one to live holy in good works! This is further seen in James 2:24, which reads, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."

James point is not that faith is not needed for justification, but that "faith without works is dead also" (James 2:26). This comes as a death-stroke to the false theory of men that once you are saved, you are always saved. They rely on a gospel of not being saved by works, and, thus not staying saved by works; but Paul and James refute that. You cannot have "faith alone" and be a Christian, because "faith, if it hath not works, is dead, BEING ALONE" (James 2:17)!! Faith alone is dead faith, and such a doctrine is false and is mentioned in 1 Timothy 4:1. True saving faith will produce works showing that the one doing them is saved, every single time!

Romans 5:1-2
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Ephesians 3:12
12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Notice that we have access into this grace wherein we stand. It does not say that we are forced to remain in this grace wherein we stand, rather it plainly states we have access to it. It is up to a saved person to remain in God's grace through obedience and good works, which things should be natural to any true believer (John 14:5; 15:3, 7; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 John 3:1-10; etc.).

1 Corinthians 13:2
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Even having "all faith" means nothing without charity. This charity is part of the fruit of the Spirit that all believers have (Galatians 5:22-24), and without it we are nothing. So even here we see once again that just faith alone is useless.

James 2:19-20
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

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