Faith Plus Works

            Amongst many in the religious world, there is the idea that man need only have faith in order to please God.  Certainly, faith is necessary in the life of a child of God.  The writer of Hebrews stated, “But without faith it is impossible to please him:  for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6).  However, faith is not all that is required.  Paul mentioned, “For by grace ye are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9).  God’s grace is also essential to being made acceptable in God’s sight.  Therefore, man is not saved by faith alone.  If we take away the grace of God, then man can have all the faith that he wants, but it will not save him.  Both are necessary.  Advocates of grace only, faith only, and grace and faith only, are quick to notice that Paul wrote, “…Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:9).  If this were the only verse in the New Testament that addressed “works”, then one might be quick to believe that all “works” are excluded from man’s salvation.  This is, of course, is not the only verse that discusses “works”.  The “works” of which Paul wrote are works of merit that put God in debt to us.  In other words, the idea is that if a man does enough “good works”, then God owes it to the man to save him.  That is absolutely false!  We can never do enough “good works” that God becomes indebted to us.  With that being said, we do need to take into consideration other verses that help us to have a better understanding about the place of “works” in man’s salvation.

            One should make sure that when studying faith and works, he diligently examines the inspired writing of the book of James.  In particular, the second chapter is an invaluable resource on this issue.  Years ago, Martin Luther was so convinced that man was saved by faith alone that he blatantly dismissed the book of James.  We must not become so stubborn due to our desires and wishes that we ignore and belittle any of God’s Word.  James wrote, “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him” (James 2:14)?  According to many, they would answer yes.  Yet, James, inspired by the Holy Spirit, continued, “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; nothwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit” (James 2:15-16)?  Well, let us answer the question! It would profit them nothing.  Next James stated, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead being alone” (James 2:17).  Can a “dead faith” save a man?  Absolutely not!  James continued, “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works:  shew me thy faith without thy works and I will shew thee my faith by my works” (James 2:18).  A man cannot show his faith without doing some kind of work.  It is impossible!  However, by doing the proper work, a man can demonstrate his faith.  Further, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well:  the devils also believe, and tremble” (James 2:19).  Having faith is wonderful, but how many “devils” will be saved due to their faith?  None!  James also wrote, “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?  Was not Abraham our father justfied by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar” (James 2:20-21).  James used the example of the Jews’ ancestral “father”, Abraham.  While Abraham’s faith was definitely important, it was his obedience/works that allowed him to be truly “the father of the faithful”.  Thus, James then asked, “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect” (James 2:22).  Faith plus works of obedience led to justification.  So, James concluded, “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness:  and he was called the Friend of God.  Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:23-24).  When examined with other Scriptures, and “handled aright”, it is apparent that faith, albeit essential, is never enough to save without obedient works.  After using Rahab as another example of faith plus works, James wrote, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26).

            Friend, do you have faith in God?  Wonderful!  Now are you willing to do the works of obedience that God has commanded?  If not, then your faith is “dead”.  Keep in mind what the writer of Hebrews mentioned about Jesus and our obedience.  “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb. 5:9).
~ Corey Barnette