Faith or Works?

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So often the question above is posed assuming that these two are mutually exclusive; that is, if you are saved by faith you cannot be saved by works, or if you are saved by works you cannot be saved by faith. This fallacy comes from the teaching of faith only. In fact, faith and works must coexist if either are to be acceptable to God.

This is made clear in James 2:14-26, where James states that faith can exist without works; however that faith is not acceptable to God because it is dead (26): "For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead."

Similarly, works without faith cannot save us. This is what Paul was saying in Ephesians 2:8: "... ⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; ⁹not as a result of works, that no one should boast." These works are those that are apart from faith, i.e., works of our own creation, no matter how good they might be in and of themselves. It is clear that Paul is not speaking against all works, for in the very next verse he states: ¹⁰"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.." The whole purpose of our being faithful and partaking of God's grace is that we might glorify him through good works.

So, the command to "work out your salvation" should not seem strange. It is clear that it does not mean for us to invent our own system of salvation, for this would not demonstrate faith in God's way. What it does mean is for us to determine what God wants then, because we trust Him to keep His promises, do it to the best of our ability.

This is something that cannot be done by a "church." Our individual obligations to the church must be kept, and the church is essential to God's plan for Christians. However, your relationship to God does not depend on anyone but yourself. Paul did not say that the church should work out your salvation for you; he said for you to work out your salvation. Unless we recognize our individual responsibilities in this regard, we will never have the proper understanding of faith and works.

Have you ever heard it said ?? ...

"We are not justified by works ...". But James said (James 2:24):

²⁴"You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone.."

Notice that James is not saying that we are justified by works only, or works apart from faith. However, the context of James 2:14f shows that faith and works are inseparable. If you have the type of faith that God requires it will result in good works. Thus, if you are not producing the works of God, you do not have saving faith.

Jesus emphasized this to his disciples in John 15:5-10: ⁵ "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. ... ¹⁰If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father"s commandments, and abide in His love." When we refuse to observe God's commandments, then we cease to be abide in him.

This is not salvation by perfect obedience, which is impossible since we have all sinned (Rom. 3:23). It is salvation by the grace of God that is conditional on our faith in Him. The Bible teaches absolutely that there is nothing that we can do to earn/keep our salvation. There is a big difference between this and conditions. If your grandfather left you an inheritance with the condition that you be married before accepting it, and you married someone that you loved -- would you have earned the inheritance? This is an almost perfect analogy. God's conditions are for our own good, so keeping them is not work or sacrifice. This requires us to learn his will for us and then to do it to the best of our abilities. Those who believe in God must also "seek after Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

⁶ "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. ⁸ By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. ⁹ Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. ¹⁰ If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father"s commandments, and abide in His love." (John 15:6-10)

 Adapted primarily from David Brown"s "Think on These Things"
Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible).