What Does The Bible Say?

Question – I have been told by many people that I can be saved by faith only with no works at all. This does not seem to be what the Bible says when I read it. Why do so many believe we are saved by faith only?

ANSWER – The only time the term “faith only” is used in the bible is in James 2:24 – “you see the how that by works a man is justified and not by faith only.

James goes on to tell us that faith and works are not competing concepts. As a matter of face the bible teaches that faith is a work ( John 6: 29 – Jesus answered ‘ the work of God is this; to believe in the one he has sent.’) Please read all of what James says on this subject in James 2:14-26. In verse 14- if a man says he has faith and has no workscan faith save him? In verse 17- “, even so faith if it has no works is dead being alone.” In verse 18 we read- “… a man may say you have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without your works and I will show you my faith by my works.” Again, in verse 24- “ but will you know, o vain man that faith without works is dead.” He concludes with verse 26 by saying, “for as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.

The bible clearly teaches that bible faith cannot exist without the works of God. No amount of man- made works will save anyone, but we must do what God has commanded for us to do to be saved. Faith is essential (Mark 16:16); Repentance is essential (Luke 13;3-5); Confession is essential ( Matthew 10: 32); and Baptism for remission of sins is essential (Mark 16:16; Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38 and living a faithful life after Baptism ( Rev. 2: 10) is essential in order to be saved. Notice than none of these alone saves anyone. There are the words of Jesus. If we love Him, we will “ keep His commandments” (John 14:15).

Do not believe what men say over what the Lord says. Obey Him. Follow His words.