Faith and Works...hand in hand

Our question this week focused on “What good are works to the Christian faith?” Especially since many cults and false religions state that “faith and/or works can help you gain heaven.” Christians are often the first to shout “Only faith and God’s mercy and grace can save you.” We often forget that while “yes, it is only our faith in Jesus that saves us.” Our faith is made evident by the works we do (James 2:18). True Biblical Christianity knew and acknowledged that it is by faith that we are saved, but that we must work also for the kingdom. Clarence Benson states “‎Sinners are saved by faith, not by works; but it is by works that they demonstrate and prove their faith.”[1] Given this information; we can see that while works can’t save; it is because of love and obedience that the justified work.

Paul states that “It is not the hearers of the Law who are righteous; but the doers of the Law who will be justified.” Paul knew that you could hear about faith and put it into words all day long; but if you were acting on it, then it isn’t really faith. Paul does not discuss this in Romans 4, works in the New Testament are an expected outgrowth of being a new creature in Christ—works of service.[2] James goes on to tell us that just as a body without spirit is dead, so is a faith without works. “Work is not the foundation but the completion of faith. James is called the apostle of works, but he does not minimize the importance of faith (2:14–26).[3]

Matthew 7:16-20 tells us that “You can recognize Christians by their fruit?” James teaches that “where there are no good works, there is not true religion, and a faith that is not producing good works is of no value. Actions must be regarded as the evidence of a justified person.[4] These works clearly have nothing to do with obtaining salvation, but are an outgrowth of a new set of kingdom priorities by which a believer lives his or her life.[5]

Given this information, we can clearly see that it is by faith alone that one is saved; however, because of our deep desire to serve ourFather in Heaven, we should automatically be willing to do some works. As Benson has stated “An inactive Christian life is empty and unfruitful.”[6]

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[1] Benson, Clarence Herbert. Biblical Faith: Doctrines Every Christian Should Know. Biblical Essentials Series, p 32. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2003.

[2] Boa, Kenneth and William Kruidenier. Vol. 6, Romans. Holman New Testament Commentary, pp 144–145. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000.

[3] Benson, Biblical Faith, p 32

[4] Ibid., p 32

[5] Boa, Romans pp 144-145

[6] Benson, Biblical Faith, p 32